Overview
- Israeli authorities discovered thousands of cigarettes concealed inside hundreds of pineapples at the Lachish Crossing and confiscated the truck and its cargo for examination.
- The shipment had been purchased by an Israeli company authorised to use the private-sector humanitarian aid mechanism and was scheduled to continue to the Kerem Shalom crossing for delivery to Gaza.
- Major General Yoram Halevy, head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, ordered an immediate suspension of the company's authorisation to bring goods into Gaza.
- COGAT said the materials were transferred for forensic inspection and reiterated that the aid mechanism exists to help Gazan civilians and will not be allowed to be abused.
- The case highlights the long-standing Israeli and Egyptian inspection regime set up after Hamas took control in 2007 and could lead to tighter checks that affect the speed and volume of civilian deliveries into Gaza.