UNICEF investigates alleged smuggling after Israel finds tobacco and nicotine products hidden in hygiene kits bound for Gaza, leading to a shipment suspension.
JERUSALEM: The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has launched an internal investigation after Israeli authorities discovered contraband tobacco and nicotine products concealed within a shipment of its hygiene kits destined for Gaza.
The agency confirmed it was informed by Israeli authorities that the items were found inside a consignment being transported by a commercial carrier, prompting an immediate full probe into the case.
UNICEF stated it maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding smuggling, acknowledging that despite preventive measures, attempts to smuggle items into humanitarian shipments do occasionally occur.
Israel’s defence ministry body COGAT, which oversees civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, announced the suspension of UNICEF shipments via the Kerem Shalom crossing after the discovery.
COGAT said the suspension would remain until UNICEF provides the findings of its full investigation and an official response on the matter.
The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing is currently the only entry point for aid and commercial goods into the Gaza Strip.
OCHA stated that while some supplies were collected, more crossings must be opened to scale up the humanitarian response effectively.
Israel imposed a strict blockade on Gaza after the start of the war with Hamas in October 2023, controlling all border areas and nearly half of the territory.
UN agencies and international NGOs have issued frequent calls for more aid trucks to be allowed into the Palestinian territory to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
