The United Nations Children's Fund said it is investigating allegations by Israel that tobacco products were smuggled into Gaza inside one of its aid shipments. Israeli authorities said bottles labeled as containing nicotine were found hidden in cartons of hygiene kits and announced that deliveries from the agency had been suspended.

The agency said the supplies were transported by a commercial carrier and that it takes the allegation seriously. It warned that any disruption to its operations could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid groups say basic necessities remain in short supply despite a fragile ceasefire that has allowed more assistance to enter.

Israel has prohibited the entry of cigarettes and nicotine products since the October 2023 attack by the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza, citing concerns about black market profits. The allegations against the aid agency come amid a broader scandal in Israel involving accusations that soldiers and others profited from smuggling goods, including cigarettes, into the territory during the war.