21 Arrested in Alleged Multi-Million Shekel Fraud Scheme During Gaza Operations

Twenty-one individuals, including career Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and civilian employees, were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of defrauding millions of shekels during operations in Gaza. The suspects, some of whom worked for civilian companies, were allegedly involved in operating engineering equipment for the forces' activities in the Strip. The arrests followed a covert investigation over recent months into allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and other offenses. All detainees are being interrogated by Lahav 433, and will be brought before the Beersheba Magistrate's Court and the Military Court in Beit Lid for remand extensions later today.

This development echoes a previous case from February of last year, where an indictment was filed against several defendants, including Bezalel Zini, brother of the Shin Bet chief David Zini. Zini was charged with the severe offense of aiding the enemy during wartime. The indictment alleged that Zini smuggled cartons of cigarettes into Gaza for 365,000 shekels, exploiting his reserve duty position. Alongside aiding the enemy, Bezalel Zini was also charged with prohibiting property transactions for terror purposes and accepting bribes. Indictments were also filed against Aviel Ben David, 31, from Kiryat Gat, a reservist in the "Oriya Force," and Amir Dov Halperin, 38. The indictments stated that the defendants and their partners knew the smuggled goods could reach terror elements, including Hamas or its affiliates, and could be used to strengthen their capabilities and fund their operations.