Israeli Authorities Foil Major Cigarette Smuggling Attempt Into Gaza Hidden in Pineapples

Israeli security forces intercepted a large-scale smuggling attempt of thousands of cigarettes into the Gaza Strip concealed inside hundreds of pineapples. The shipment was detected by the security inspection unit of the Crossings Authority under the Ministry of Defense on Wednesday. The cigarettes were hidden within a shipment purchased by an Israeli company authorized to bring aid into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing as part of a private sector humanitarian assistance mechanism.

The entire truckload was confiscated and handed over to customs and other relevant authorities for further handling. Following the incident, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav (Yoram) Halevi, ordered an immediate suspension of the company's permit to deliver aid to Gaza until further notice. The Crossings Authority emphasized the unusual nature of the smuggling method and the ongoing vigilance required to prevent such attempts.