COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) is the unit of Israel's Defense Ministry responsible for coordinating civilian issues with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
It plays a role in Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and in coordinating Israeli security activity with the Palestinians.
COGAT also helps with facilitating activities of international organizations in the West Bank and Gaza.
Lt. Col. Elad Goren was appointed Head of Humanitarian-Civilian Effort in Gaza, facing criticism for not being under Southern Command.
The operation was conducted in conjunction with COGAT and under the political echelon's directives.
In addition to vaccinating the civilian population in Gaza, in late July, the IDF began a broad vaccination operation for all the regular and reserve soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
Since the start of the war, the UN has been releasing reports and updates about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, showing a dire picture of a shortage of humanitarian aid.
Predicted famine in Gaza would likely be caused by hijacking of aid inside Gaza, and not lack of nutrition in Israeli aid, finds research.
The IDF, in recent steps to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians, has been working in cooperation with the US to operate the Gaza pier, and has also increased the number of aid trucks.
Getting aid right in Gaza will require finding a way to keep Hamas from stealing it and making sure the NGOs are transparent about where it is going.
According to COGAT, about 100 food aid trucks were sent to northern Gaza on a daily basis over the past few weeks.
Such steps by the IDF and COGAT include fixing a central water pipe, transferring aid trucks, and assisting in opening bakeries.
Gallant said that the increase in aid would come as part of five new initiatives.
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