Israeli Intelligence Chief’s Brother Charged with Aiding Hamas by Smuggling Cigarettes into Gaza

Overview

Israeli prosecutors have formally charged Bezalel Zini, the brother of newly appointed Shin Bet chief David Zini, with “aiding the enemy in wartime” after alleging that he smuggled large quantities of cigarettes into Gaza. Authorities claim the illegal trade financially benefited Hamas, generating massive profits during the ongoing conflict.

The case has sparked significant controversy due to Zini’s close family ties to Israel’s top intelligence official, raising concerns about internal security vulnerabilities and corruption within military systems.

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Smuggling Operation Details

According to the indictment, Bezalel Zini, 50, who is a reservist on active duty in the Israeli military, allegedly smuggled 14 cartons of cigarettes — totaling around 7,000 individual packs — into Gaza. In exchange, he reportedly received 365,000 Israeli shekels, equivalent to approximately $117,000.

Prosecutors argue that Zini was fully aware that the cigarettes would be sold inside Gaza at extremely high prices, directly benefiting Hamas, which controls the region. They estimate that the illegal tobacco trade alone has generated hundreds of millions of shekels for Hamas since the start of the war.

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Organized Crime Network Involved

The charges against Zini are part of a broader investigation involving more than a dozen suspects. Prosecutors allege that an organized criminal network smuggled not only cigarettes but also brand-new iPhones, car parts, and high-end electronics into Gaza.

Investigators claim that the smugglers exploited military access routes, pretending to enter Gaza as part of their official duties. This allowed them to bypass strict border controls and transport prohibited goods into the besieged territory.

The smuggling operation reportedly began in summer 2025, during intense fighting, months before the ceasefire agreement that came into effect in October.

Additional Charges Against Bezalel Zini

In addition to aiding the enemy during wartime, Bezalel Zini also faces multiple other charges, including:

• Fraud

• Receiving bribes

• Serious tax offenses

Israeli authorities arrested him two weeks ago, along with two alleged accomplices who were also charged with smuggling activities.

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Defense Denies Allegations

Zini’s legal team has strongly denied all accusations. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, his lawyers argued that the application of terrorism laws for cigarette smuggling is unjustified.

One of his lawyers stated:

“The accusation of aiding the enemy during wartime is a complete distortion of reality. This is a man who has risked his life and served the state loyally.”

Despite these claims, prosecutors insist that financial support — even indirect — provided to Hamas during wartime constitutes a serious national security offense.

Political and Security Implications

The case has drawn widespread public and political attention, especially given Zini’s connection to Shin Bet chief David Zini, Israel’s top internal security official. Authorities clarified that David Zini is not suspected of any wrongdoing and is not implicated in the investigation.

However, the incident has sparked debate about security screening, corruption, and internal oversight within Israeli military and intelligence systems.

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