Prices soar as Gaza smuggling booms. Officials, soldiers and middlemen are accused of cashing in

A surge in smuggling into the Gaza Strip has created a black market where prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed, according to an Associated Press investigation. Palestinians are facing inflated costs for groceries and batteries, while hospitals are reportedly turning to smugglers for vital medicine and equipment.

The illicit trade, which includes goods banned by Israel since the start of the war in October 2023, is generating millions of dollars for smugglers, merchants, and even Israeli soldiers and other middlemen. The AP investigation, based on court documents and interviews with traders, truckers, and officials, reveals a complex network profiting from the tight restrictions imposed by Israel.

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The occupation has left no other option before us. Smuggling has become routine.

Items such as cigarettes, iPhones, solar panels, fuel, and anesthetics are being brought into Gaza illegally. Israel classifies many goods, including concrete and vehicle parts, as "dual use," asserting they could be repurposed by Hamas for military purposes, thus restricting their entry. However, this has fueled the demand for smuggled alternatives.

Traders and officials, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns and their involvement in the illegal business, described payoffs to Israeli troops, drivers, and warehouse workers on both sides of the border. One trader noted that smuggling has become routine due to the occupation, and that some Israeli military personnel facilitate the trade for a price. The Israeli military stated it takes smuggling seriously and investigates any suspected involvement by its personnel, but did not provide detailed answers to specific questions from the AP.

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We benefit, they benefit and the people in Gaza benefit because we provide goods, including food, to the market.