Israeli IDF officer charged in Gaza smuggling case and crypto bribery ring

An Israeli Defense Forces lieutenant has been charged with attempting to smuggle goods into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, using his military position to facilitate the operation in exchange for a bribe.

In a separate case, seven suspects are accused of running a crypto-enabled bribery and theft scheme that spanned months and involved the laundering of funds through cryptocurrency. Authorities have seized more than $13 million in cryptocurrency and cash, and a joint investigation by Shin Bet, police and the IDF led to multiple arrests.

The two cases together highlight ongoing concerns about corruption and security within border operations and illicit financial networks in Israel.