The delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza is being hindered by organized attacks targeting aid convoys for smuggled cigarettes, rather than the essential supplies they carry. Despite strict Israeli inspections at checkpoints, cigarettes have been concealed within aid shipments, leading to coordinated attacks by Palestinians seeking to profit from the contraband. The situation has created a new challenge for aid agencies and has exacerbated the economic distortion in Gaza due to Israel's control over the goods entering the region. The smuggling operation, primarily originating from Egypt, has led to looting and targeted attacks on aid convoys, causing significant delays in the distribution of essential supplies. The anarchy in Gaza, resulting from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, has further complicated the situation, with over 1,000 aid trucks stranded at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The fear of attacks has deterred aid agencies from collecting and distributing the goods, while private merchants have been able to navigate the difficult conditions by paying protection money to organized gangs. The smugglers outside Gaza are closely coordinated with organized groups inside the territory, using light arms and roadblocks to halt aid convoys and locate the hidden cigarettes. Israeli officials have called for action on the Egyptian side to stop the smuggling, while the Egyptian government has not yet responded to the issue. The scarcity of cigarettes in Gaza has driven prices up to $40 per cigarette, with desperate smokers willing to pay despite their impoverishment due to the prolonged conflict. The situation highlights the complex challenges faced by humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza and the impact of the conflict on the region's economy and security.