Israeli Court Rules Evidence Insufficient to Charge Gaza Smuggling Suspects With Security Offenses

The Be'er Sheva District Court ruled that evidence was insufficient to charge 10 of 15 suspects accused of smuggling goods into Gaza with security-related offenses. The judge criticized the prosecution's case, concluding that the accused sought only to profit from the smuggling and that Hamas had no role in the operation. The court ordered the release of the 10 suspects from detention, with a Sunday hearing scheduled to determine alternative custody arrangements. The five remaining suspects were not addressed in the ruling.