A senior official in the Shin Bet security agency has been accused of taking part in a large scale smuggling operation into the Gaza Strip in exchange for millions of shekels, according to an i24NEWS report. Authorities allegedly found 6.5 million shekels, worth approximately $2.1 million, in his possession, money believed to have been earned from the illicit activity.
The report said the official used his senior position in Israel's internal security service to facilitate the transfer of goods into Gaza for substantial payments. Further details about the scope of the operation and how long it had been underway were not released for publication.
In a related development, the State Attorney's Office has formally filed an indictment with the Beersheba District Court against Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, in connection with the same smuggling affair.
According to the indictment, Zini is accused of carrying out three separate rounds of smuggling approximately 14 cartons of cigarettes through the Sufa crossing into Gaza, for which he allegedly received 365,000 shekels, roughly $100,000. Among the charges listed is aiding the enemy in wartime.
Prosecutors allege that Zini updated a subordinate who acted as a liaison between the other defendants in the smuggling ring, telling him he had an acquaintance in Unit 8200, the Israel Defense Forces' elite military intelligence unit, who could help ensure that their details would not appear in the system so they would not be detected.
Zini allegedly said the acquaintance was willing to provide the assistance in exchange for logistical equipment for his unit. To that end, Zini is accused of requesting 100,000 shekels, about $32,000.
