Israel's Shin Bet security agency said Hamas itself earned hundreds of millions of shekels through illegal cigarette and tobacco smuggling during the ongoing war. The agency did not provide additional details on the timing or scope of the smuggling operation.
The Shin Bet announcement, made Tuesday morning, is a rare public disclosure of Hamas's direct involvement in the smuggling trade. The agency did not specify the smuggling routes or a breakdown of the funds' use. The figure of 'hundreds of millions of shekels' highlights a significant revenue stream for Hamas even as the military campaign continues. Further details may emerge from agency investigations.
- DevelopingEmbarrassment in Israel Customs: smuggled cigarettes worth tens of millions vanish from custody
- DevelopingIAF strikes Hamas money-transfer network operatives in Gaza
- DevelopingCigarette smuggling to Gaza foiled; stash hidden in Pringles cans
- StrongMinisters Ben Gvir and Golan say Shin Bet will join fight against Arab organized crime with NIS 500M budget
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake