COGAT, the Israeli agency coordinating government activities in ‘Palestinian’ territories, announced Monday on X that drugs were smuggled into Gaza hidden inside food containers under the guise of humanitarian aid. The disclosure came after World Central Kitchen (WCK) reported finding the drugs while unloading aid shipments and preparing food in its kitchens in Gaza. Inside canned pepper containers, workers discovered six packages of hashish weighing about 600 grams total, along with roughly 160 grams of other illegal substances.
In its statement, COGAT sharply condemned the incident: “This event illustrates once again that Hamas will stop at nothing to exploit humanitarian aid for its purposes. COGAT will continue to work with all relevant parties against any attempt to abuse humanitarian aid mechanisms.” The issue of humanitarian aid entering Gaza has resurfaced repeatedly in recent weeks, with hundreds of trucks loaded with goods entering the Strip even as Hamas violates understandings brokered by the Board of Peace. Just yesterday, Avigdor Lieberman issued sharp criticism on the matter, attacking the prime minister and saying he “continues to funnel hundreds of aid trucks into the Strip and is allowing Gaza reconstruction to begin before Hamas has disarmed.”