In recent months, there has been no official movement in or out of Gaza. According to the Israeli government's statements, the transfer of humanitarian aid has been completely halted, with residents of the Strip reporting dwindling supplies of food and basic necessities.
However, information obtained by Israel Hayom indicates that expensive goods are still reaching Gaza by some means. Sources say there is evidence that, in recent weeks, trucks carrying items such as advanced smartphones, fuel and solar panels have entered the Strip through the Kissufim crossing.
One specific report involves a truck that crossed into Gaza on April 28, just before dawn. The shipment, reportedly paid for by a man named Abu Abd al-Zib at a cost of millions of shekels, included cigarettes, mobile phones and fuel. Although the goods were intended for the private market, Hamas issued a directive to confiscate the items and redirect the profits to the terrorist organization. Another incident was mentioned on social media the day prior, with a Facebook user writing: "At 5 a.m., a truck loaded with boxes of frozen chicken crossed through the Kissufim crossing."
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) denied that any truck had entered the Strip. "In accordance with a directive from the political echelon, the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was completely halted starting March 2, 2025. We emphasize that even prior to that date, the entry of tobacco products, mobile phones or solar panels was not approved nor permitted during the war, as these are not defined as humanitarian aid."
Yet the claims and the facts appear to diverge. It remains unclear whether COGAT is aware of how this equipment is entering Gaza. What is clear, however, is that valuable merchandise is making its way into the Strip and is being sold for large sums of money. Sources were unable to confirm whether this was due to criminal smuggling operations or some other mechanism, but there is no doubt that in some cases, the equipment entering Gaza is brand new.
One of the strongest indicators is the sale of smartphones. In recent weeks, Gaza's mobile phone shops have been stocked with Samsung's A36 model, a device that was only released on March 2, the same day that, according to COGAT, all aid to Gaza was halted.
"As someone working in the mobile phone business, I can say that devices which only hit the market yesterday, like the Samsung A36, are already here," a Gazan woman wrote in a social media post. Another user added: "Shops have announced the availability of all the latest models. The strange thing is that these shops are known to operate under the table."
"The fact that these mobile phones became available for sale in early March suggests they entered Gaza after that date. Given that February 28 was the last confirmed day the crossings were open, anything that entered afterward did so illegally," a source told Israel Hayom.
The exact route by which the goods are reaching Gaza, and whether this occurs with any form of official approval, remains unknown. What is evident, however, is that at least part of the profits generated from these sales ultimately find their way into the hands of Hamas.
