Aid Trucks Exposed: Bedouin Battalion Soldiers Allegedly Used Military Assets for Smuggling

An internal security crisis has been exposed within the Israeli military after soldiers from the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion were allegedly found to be involved in a large-scale operation to smuggle cigarettes into the Gaza Strip using both military vehicles and humanitarian aid trucks. The alleged actions violate Israeli law, undermine the security barrier, and allowed smugglers to profit significantly from the high demand for tobacco in the enclave.

An investigation revealed that officers and soldiers from the southern Israel-based battalion were implicated in multiple incidents of smuggling contraband worth hundreds of thousands of shekels. The illicit trade utilized the Kerem Shalom Crossing route, a lifeline for humanitarian aid, to funnel goods past security checks.

Indictment Against Company Commander

In one of the most serious cases detailed in the report, an indictment was filed against a company commander, a resident of Abu Qrenat, and another soldier from his command team, a resident of Abu Ruqaiq.

The indictment states that the two military personnel coordinated directly with residents of Gaza to facilitate the smuggling. They allegedly loaded 4,496 packages of cigarettes onto humanitarian aid trucks. In exchange for their services, the indictment charges that the officer and soldier received at least 269,000 shekels in cash.

Suspicious Activity and a Lack of Arrest

A separate incident detailed in the report highlighted how the smuggling operation was executed using military assets in the field. A military vehicle and a truck were observed entering a Gazan hanger in the area between Al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis. After a short period, the two vehicles departed and separated.

The suspicious activity was spotted by an Israeli aircraft, which reported the incident. An inspection of the truck led to the discovery of 7,000 packages of cigarettes. Though the driver admitted to receiving the massive haul from an officer in the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion, he was reportedly released at the scene because the Military Police did not arrive to make an arrest.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that only two incidents were reported. Regarding the first, the military stated that "severe indictments were submitted." Concerning the second incident involving the large seizure, the IDF said the soldier involved was "tried by his unit's command." The revelation of smuggling by soldiers in a unit tasked with border security is expected to trigger wider internal inquiries into military protocol and oversight along the Gaza border.