Border Crackdown: Israel Uncovers Smuggling in Humanitarian Convoys

Israeli authorities intercepted several attempts to smuggle restricted goods into Gaza hidden inside humanitarian aid trucks, Army Radio reported this Thursday morning.

Solar panels, electrical cables, and cell phones were discovered concealed in four separate aid shipments as they crossed near Kissufim in recent days. Officials warned that as the daily volume of aid deliveries climbs to nearly 400 trucks, maintaining rigorous inspections has become increasingly challenging.

Growing scrutiny of aid deliveries

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) confirmed efforts are underway to tighten controls.

“Processes have been implemented to improve inspection, escort forces were assigned to convoys, and active operations were conducted to thwart smuggling,” the agency said.

The Tax Authority also noted a rise in smuggling attempts, while stressing the need for stronger monitoring. But security officials, speaking anonymously to Army Radio, accused agencies of shifting responsibility instead of sealing gaps.

“Each one pushes the burden onto the other,” a source said, warning that Hamas profits from “an aid delivery system that is not airtight.”

Multiple agencies, divided oversight

According to the report, four separate bodies oversee the aid entry mechanism: the Israel Defense Forces, COGAT, the Shin Bet security service, and border customs. None of the security agencies provided public comment.

The discovery comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, even as Jerusalem remains wary that aid routes could be exploited to funnel materials with military value to Hamas.