Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Defense responsible for implementing the government's civilian policy and security coordination in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip. It serves as the primary interface between the IDF, the Palestinian Authority, and international organizations regarding humanitarian aid and infrastructure.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) operates as a critical strategic arm of Israel's defense establishment, managing the complex intersection of security requirements and civilian life in disputed territories. Established following the 1967 Six-Day War, the unit is tasked with civil coordination in Judea and Samaria and, until the 2005 disengagement and subsequent Hamas takeover, direct civil administration in Gaza. Today, its role in Gaza focuses on the oversight of border crossings and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.
In the context of the ongoing multi-front conflict in 2026, COGAT's role has become increasingly scrutinized as it balances the necessity of preventing Hamas diversion of resources with the international demand for humanitarian corridors. The unit coordinates with the UN and various NGOs to monitor the flow of food, medical supplies, and fuel. COGAT frequently utilizes data-driven assessments to challenge international narratives regarding food security, often citing internal and UN metrics to demonstrate that aid volumes meet or exceed the nutritional requirements of the local population.
Following the direct Iranian attack on Israel in June 2026, COGAT has been the primary agency executing the government's directive to halt aid deliveries to Gaza. This move reflects a strategic shift in leveraging civilian policy as a response to regional escalation. Despite the closure of crossings, COGAT maintains that the existing surplus of supplies within the Strip mitigates immediate humanitarian risks, emphasizing its role in ensuring that aid does not bolster adversarial governance while fulfilling essential obligations.