Prosecutors on Friday filed an indictment against a 34-year-old man from the southern town of Rahat, accusing him of smuggling goods into the Gaza Strip and aiding the enemy during wartime in exchange for money.

According to the indictment filed in the Beersheba District Court, Nasser Mustafa was charged with aiding the enemy in wartime, handling property for terrorist purposes, obtaining goods by fraud under aggravated circumstances, and bribery.

A military court is separately conducting proceedings against two Israel Defense Forces officers, a lieutenant colonel in the regular army and a major in the reserves, who are suspected of assisting Mustafa. Their names were not permitted for publication.

According to the indictment, Mustafa primarily smuggled cartons of cigarettes, along with other goods.

The alleged offenses took place while the war in Gaza was ongoing and hostages were still being held by Hamas.

Prosecutors alleged that Mustafa acted “with the knowledge that the smuggled goods might reach Hamas or provide it with financial assistance,” thereby contributing to its ability to operate against Israel during wartime.

Attorneys Hila Dreamer-Yair and Elia Fuchs of the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office said controlling goods entering the Gaza Strip is “of central importance” to Hamas, which taxes the shipments they seize to impose their rule and improve their economic capabilities, they........

© The Times of Israel