According to an Associated Press investigation, smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into the Gaza Strip has boomed, with Palestinians facing inflated prices for groceries and batteries, and hospitals turning to smugglers for medicine and equipment. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The investigation is based on court documents and interviews with traders, truckers, and officials. Cigarettes and tobacco, banned from entry to Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, rake in the biggest profits for smugglers and merchants. But everything from iPhones and solar panels to fuel and anesthetics is also brought in illegally.
Israel restricts quantities of some goods and bans others outright. It defines many as “dual use” — including concrete, vehicle parts, and X-ray machines — asserting they could be repurposed by Hamas militants for military functions.
The Associated Press analyzed Israeli court documents and spoke to five major traders, three merchants, and two truckers, all on condition of anonymity due to their roles in the illegal smuggling business and safety concerns. AP also interviewed four Palestinian officials, two on condition of anonymity.
The investigation reveals the scale of smuggling and its impact on life in Gaza: rising prices, medicine shortages, and the flourishing of illicit trade worsen the humanitarian situation.