The brother of Israel’s internal security chief has been arrested and is expected to face wartime charges after being accused of aiding Hamas. The case centers on Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet Director David Zini, and was first highlighted by The Telegraph.
Bezalel Zini was taken into custody last month and is accused of playing a central role in a large-scale smuggling operation involving prohibited goods entering the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials have described the allegations as a clear act of treason, a charge that carries severe penalties under wartime law.
Authorities say the case has shocked security officials due to Zini’s close family connection to the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service. This comes amid other political tensions, such as JD Vance’s remarks about the ‘incestuous nature’ of America’s elite.
The alleged cigarette smuggling carried serious wartime implications
Investigators say the alleged scheme focused on smuggling contraband cigarettes into Gaza, a trade that became highly lucrative after Israel banned tobacco imports during the war. Prices reportedly rose as high as $60 per packet, allowing Hamas to impose heavy taxes on the illegal market and generate significant revenue.
Security sources say the smuggling operation extended well beyond a single individual. More than a dozen suspects, including military personnel, are accused of abusing their positions to move prohibited goods across the yellow-line border separating Gaza from Israeli-occupied territory, with the total value of smuggled items estimated in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, echoing other troubling reports like a routine flight that ended in tragedy.
The investigation began about six weeks ago when soldiers near the border stopped a suspicious truck. In addition to cigarettes, the vehicle was allegedly carrying heavy drones, telephones, batteries, and other equipment banned due to their potential use in terrorist activity, prompting the Shin Bet to launch a full inquiry.
Bezalel Zini, an army reservist, was arrested roughly two weeks later and has denied any knowledge of the smuggling. Because of his family connection to the Shin Bet director, Israeli police assumed control of the case to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.
Zini’s family has publicly rejected the allegations. His father, Rabbi Yosef Zini, described the charges in court as fabricated and claimed they were part of a plot to damage David Zini’s career, while another brother, Shmuel, said the family believes the truth will ultimately prevail.
An IDF official has warned that addressing corruption and smuggling is critical ahead of the eventual rebuilding of Gaza, which is expected to involve thousands of trucks and major infrastructure projects. Officials say the scale of future reconstruction would create far greater opportunities for illicit activity if the current allegations are not dealt with decisively.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 08:15 pm