Israel Police Arrest 21 in Multi-Million Shekel Gaza Fraud Probe
Israeli police and military investigators arrested 21 suspects in a multi-million-shekel fraud scheme involving fuel theft, bribery, and fake invoices during Gaza operations.
Massive Fraud Investigation Targets Contractors Working in Gaza
Israeli authorities have arrested 21 suspects in a major economic fraud investigation involving millions of shekels siphoned from the state during infrastructure work in the Gaza Strip. The joint operation, conducted by the Lahav 433 national fraud unit, Military Police (IPC / Metach), and the Tax Authority, exposed a systematic scheme of fuel theft, bribery, and fictitious invoicing.
According to police, contractors operating heavy machinery for the Ministry of Defense inflated work volumes and billed the state for services and fuel never delivered. Investigators raided several suspects, seizing large sums of money and gold. Among those arrested are prominent business owners, including Ran Rahmani, owner of the Rahmani contracting firm, and Elisha Ifrah, as well as Muhammad Amar and Yousef Abu Amar of the Lakiya area.
Bribery of Military Personnel and Fake Invoices
Investigators revealed that military NCOs (non-commissioned officers) allegedly acted as liaisons on the ground, accepting bribes to facilitate the theft of fuel belonging to Tsahal. The suspects capitalized on the wartime chaos to generate illicit fortunes through money laundering, false accounting, and aggravated fraud.
"The suspects exploited the massive chaos in Gaza to steal millions of shekels," a senior law enforcement official stated during the court hearings.
Courts have extended the detention of the key suspects as the investigation enters its public phase, with military courts also handling proceedings for the implicated service members.
