Ramallah, March 29, 2026: In line with its pivotal national role, the Customs Police continued to perform its duties with high efficiency and responsibility during 2025, handling 2,744 cases in cooperation and coordination with civilian partners and relevant security agencies. This embodies its firm commitment to protecting the national economy, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring the safety of citizens from various forms of economic and health risks and threats. During the past year, the Customs Police achieved numerous significant accomplishments across various fields, including combating smuggling in all its forms, protecting local markets from substandard goods, and strengthening partnerships and integration with governmental and non-governmental entities. These efforts were undertaken in accordance with directives issued by the political leadership, under the supervision of His Excellency the Minister of Interior, Major General Ziad Hab Al-Reeh, and the instructions of the Director of the Customs Police, Major General Iyad Barakat. As a result of these efforts, the Customs Police seized 387 tons of expired and unfit-for-human-consumption goods and cosmetics, in addition to addressing other critical issues.

This statement highlights the most prominent milestones and achievements of the Customs Police, a testament to the continuous efforts and diligent work of its personnel in the field.

In detail: - To protect the nation's resources

- In cooperation with the Ministry of Finance to improve revenue collection, bolster the state treasury, and control tax evasion and customs smuggling. The agency handled 1,409 cases, including:

853 tax and customs cases

126 cases of goods arriving from Israel without proper documentation

430 cases related to smuggled and prohibited tobacco products

- As part of efforts to protect markets from illegal goods and settlement products.

In cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy, the agency handled 761 cases to protect markets from the spread of spoiled, expired, counterfeit, and settlement goods. During these cases, the following were seized:

- More than 351 tons of expired, unfit for consumption, and counterfeit goods, which were handed over to the relevant authorities.

- Approximately 190 tons of goods lacking Arabic labeling and not conforming to specifications and standards (including food items, cosmetics, and beauty products), which were handed over to the relevant authorities.

- 3 tons of mixed goods prohibited from circulation in the markets as they originated from settlements. - 3,388 pieces of prohibited fireworks, including beads and cubes, were seized.

To achieve food security:

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the agency handled 372 cases to ensure public health and protect citizens from unfit and spoiled goods. The most prominent cases included:
- Seizing 36 tons of expired and unusable food and cosmetic products, which were properly destroyed.
- Seizing approximately 17.5 tons and nearly 60,000 packages of medicines, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and sexual stimulants that did not meet specifications and standards and lacked the necessary licenses.

To protect Palestinian farmers and strengthen their resilience on their land:

In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, the agency handled 91 cases involving products lacking the necessary agricultural and health permits, unfit for human consumption, or restricted by ministerial decree.
- These included 25 cases of animal products and 66 cases of agricultural products. Towards Strengthening the Telecommunications Sector

In cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, the agency handled 94 cases to protect markets from the proliferation of Israeli SIM cards, recharge cards, and internet devices, which are prohibited from circulation and operation within the Palestinian territories. During these operations, the following items were seized:

- 7,225 Israeli SIM cards and recharge cards, 864 Israeli wireless devices and mobile phones, which were referred to the relevant department within the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority as they are prohibited from circulation. Additionally, 5,415 postal packages and telecommunications devices lacking the required licenses from the Ministry were confiscated.

To Protect the Palestinian Environment

In cooperation with the Environmental Quality Authority, the agency addressed 17 cases to protect the Palestinian environment from hazardous waste, both solid and liquid, smuggled from Israel for the purpose of burying or dumping it within the Palestinian territories.

During these operations, 264 tons of construction debris, waste, and solid waste, along with 28 square wooden boxes of medical waste originating from Israel, were seized and returned to their source in accordance with the Basel Convention. In the area of ​​public awareness, and in accordance with the pre-established plan targeting youth aged 14 to 45, and within the framework of raising awareness and strengthening direct communication with citizens, the Public Relations and Media Department of the Customs Authority conducted 560 awareness lectures during the past year. These lectures targeted approximately 25,000 male and female students in universities, colleges, schools, and civil society organizations across various northern governorates. The aim was to raise community awareness of the Authority's role in protecting the national economy and combating smuggling in all its forms, to instill a culture of compliance with laws and regulations, and to emphasize the importance of protecting the health and safety of citizens and supporting national products. This strengthens community partnership and contributes to achieving the public interest. In conclusion, the Customs Authority works diligently and sincerely to protect the national economy and ensure the safety of our markets and society from the dangers arising from smuggling and substandard goods. To achieve this goal, the cooperation of our citizens is a crucial foundation for the success of our joint efforts.

We urge you to report any illegal practices that may threaten our economic security or the health and safety of our citizens by calling the agency's toll-free number 132 and contacting us through all social media platforms. Your trust and support empower us to continue our work and achieve even greater accomplishments for the betterment of our nation and the protection of your rights.

Together, we raise the banner of our national economy, safeguard the security of our society, and build a better future for generations to come.