Middle East

Israeli intelligence chief’s brother charged with cigarette smuggling

Israeli military reservist Bezalel Zini, currently serving on active duty, faces allegations of involvement in a cigarette smuggling operation, in which 14 cartons were reportedly exchanged for a sum of $117,000.

A chargesheet has been filed against the sibling of Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency chief, alleging that he facilitated the smuggling of cigarettes into the Gaza Strip, thereby potentially supporting the enemy during a time of conflict.

File photo showing a Palestinian man selling cigarettes on a street in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on 12 June 2024 — A Palestinian man sells cigarettes in central Gaza (file photo)

According to the indictment, which was made public on Thursday, the accused was purportedly aware that the resale of the cigarettes could generate profits for Hamas, given the inflated prices at which they would be sold.

The accused, a 50-year-old reservist currently on active duty with the Israeli military, allegedly smuggled 14 cartons of cigarettes, totaling 7,000 packets, in a transaction valued at 365,000 shekels, equivalent to $117,000 or £86,000.

The brother of the accused, David Zini, who recently took office as the head of Shin Bet, has not been implicated in any wrongdoing and is not a subject of the investigation.

The Israeli government has maintained strict control over the movement of goods, including humanitarian aid, into Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

A recent series of indictments has implicated over a dozen individuals in an alleged organized crime scheme, which involved smuggling high-end iPhones, automotive components, and other electronic devices into the Gaza Strip.

According to the indictment, the illicit trade of tobacco and cigarette products generated substantial revenue for Hamas, with estimates suggesting hundreds of millions of shekels have been funneled into the organization's funds since the onset of the conflict.

Authorities claim that the smuggling operation commenced during the summer of 2025, prior to the October ceasefire, when hostilities were still ongoing in the region.

It is alleged that the perpetrators disguised their true intentions by posing as individuals carrying out military duties, thereby deceiving Israeli personnel stationed at border crossings.

Bezalel Zini faces additional charges, including fraud, bribery, and tax evasion, as outlined in the indictment. His arrest, which occurred two weeks ago, was accompanied by the detention of two alleged co-conspirators, who have also been charged with smuggling offenses.

As reported by Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, Zini's legal team has stated that their client rejects the accusations, contending that the terrorism law is not applicable in this case, which involves alleged cigarette smuggling.

One of Zini's lawyers was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the charge of aiding the enemy during wartime is a complete misrepresentation of the facts, pointing out that Zini has made significant sacrifices and put his life at risk for the state.

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BBC reports from Tehran as Iran commemorates Islamic revolution anniversary

BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet has arrived in Iran, marking her first visit to the country since authorities suppressed widespread demonstrations against the government.

Iran's government has staged a display of strength to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, following a period of intense repression of anti-government demonstrations.

The BBC has gained access to Tehran for the first time since the authorities' crackdown on protests, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,490 people, according to estimates by human rights activists.

Lyse Doucet, the BBC's chief international correspondent, observes that the capital's streets, adorned with festive decorations and filled with crowds of supporters, reflect the government's desired image of a unified nation, with Iranians demonstrating their allegiance to the Islamic Republic and its founding revolution.

Middle East

BBC reports from Tehran for the first time since the protest crackdown

In Iran, the aftermath of the government’s crackdown on protests remains a sensitive issue, with the effects of the unusually strong measures still being felt, according to Lyse Doucet, reporting from the country.

For the first time since a nationwide crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, a BBC team has entered Iran to report on the current situation.

As Iran commemorates the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the streets of Tehran are adorned with festive decorations, yet the memory of the recent protests and the subsequent use of force by security personnel remains a sensitive issue.

According to human rights activists, the confirmed number of protester fatalities stands at a minimum of 6,400, although they caution that the actual death toll may ultimately be significantly higher.

Asia

Indonesia plans to deploy up to 8,000 troops to Gaza

As part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement facilitated by the US in the previous year, this nation would become the first to take such action.

Indonesia is making preparations to deploy a contingent of up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza, marking the first such commitment under the second phase of a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States towards the end of last year.

US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto at a signing ceremony for the new Board of Peace, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland (22 January 2026) — President Prabowo Subianto has argued that Indonesia should help to stabilise Gaza

According to General Maruli Simanjuntak, the army's chief of staff, training for these troops is already underway, with a focus on providing medical and engineering support in Gaza.

Indonesia has recently joined the Board of Peace initiated by President Donald Trump, an announcement that was made last month.

The United Nations Security Council has given Indonesia a mandate to establish an International Stabilization Force, tasked with securing border areas in Gaza and overseeing the demilitarization of the territory, including the disarmament of Hamas.

The Board of Peace, scheduled to convene for the first time in Washington on February 19, will also play a role in overseeing the establishment of a new technocratic government in Gaza and guiding post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

While the specifics of the Indonesian troop deployment, including timing and role, have yet to be finalized, it appears that President Prabowo Subianto is moving forward with the plan.

President Subianto's decision to participate in Trump's Board of Peace has drawn criticism from certain Islamic groups within Indonesia, where there is significant public discontent regarding the US role in Israel's military actions in Gaza.

President Subianto has countered that, as the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia has a responsibility to contribute to stabilizing Gaza, with the ultimate goal of achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A report by Israel's public broadcaster Kan indicates that a location in southern Gaza, situated between Rafah and Khan Younis, has been designated for the Indonesian army to construct barracks that will accommodate several thousand troops.

Other Muslim countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, are considering troop deployments as well, but have emphasized that their roles would be limited to peacekeeping and would not involve participation in the planned disarmament of Hamas.

However, given Hamas's refusal to disarm as long as Israel maintains its presence in parts of Gaza, a lasting peace that an international force could support has yet to be achieved.