Cigarettes: Brother of Shin Bet chief indicted for smuggling into Gaza

• Bezalel Zini, brother of the Shin Bet chief, was indicted for smuggling 7,000 packets of cigarettes into Gaza on three occasions, receiving $117,000 in return.
• A reservist in the "Uriah Force," Zini is accused of exploiting his demolition transport permits to hide contraband within military convoys and bypass border security during the blockade.

‘Israeli’ prosecutors have indicted Bezalel Zini, the brother of internal security agency (Shin Bet) chief David Zini, on charges including aiding the enemy in wartime, fraud, bribery, and tax offenses related to the smuggling of cigarettes into the Gaza Strip.

The indictment, filed on Thursday, alleges that Zini exploited his position as a military reservist to facilitate the illicit transport of goods during ‘Israel's’ blockade of Gaza.

According to court documents, Bezalel Zini, aged 50, is accused of smuggling approximately 14 cartons of cigarettes—equivalent to 7,000 individual packets—into Gaza on three separate occasions.

In exchange, he reportedly received 365,000 shekels, or about $117,000.

‘Israel’ Prosecutors claim Zini was aware that the smuggled items could generate revenue for Hamas through resale at inflated prices, thereby “funding” the group.

Zini served in a semi-official unit known as the Uriah Force, composed largely of right-wing volunteers, which was tasked with transporting heavy equipment into Gaza for demolition operations.

This role provided him with special permits to cross into the territory, which authorities say he misused by concealing cigarettes within military convoys and misleading border personnel.

Zini served in a semi-official unit known as the Uriah Force, composed largely of right-wing volunteers, which was tasked with transporting heavy equipment into Gaza for demolition operations.

This role provided him with special permits to cross into the territory, which authorities say he misused by concealing cigarettes within military convoys and misleading border personnel.

David Zini, who assumed leadership of the Shin Bet in October 2025 following his appointment by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has not been implicated in the case.

The charges against Bezalel Zini are part of a broader investigation into a smuggling network involving over a dozen individuals, including other ‘Israeli’ reservists.