AP investigation shows how banned goods are smuggled into Gaza and millions of dollars change hands

CAIRO (AP) — Palestinians face higher prices for essentials, hospitals turn to smugglers for medical supplies, and Israeli soldiers and others allegedly pocket millions as banned goods flood into Gaza, according to an Associated Press investigation. The investigation, based on court records and talks with traders, truckers, and officials, reveals the booming smuggling of restricted items into the Gaza Strip, where Hamas and Israeli soldiers allegedly profit from the illegal trade.

Cigarettes and tobacco, banned since October 2023, generate the largest profits, but iPhones, solar panels, fuel, and anesthetics also enter illegally. The Israeli military asserts it takes smuggling "very seriously" but declines to provide details on the involvement of its personnel. The Hamas-led government and Israeli soldiers reportedly receive a share of the profits, while the Palestinian Economy Ministry in Gaza states it receives up to 80% of the price of smuggled goods if not reported to authorities.