COGAT Rebukes UNRWA, Says Gaza Aid Bypasses Agency Over Hamas Links
Israel’s COGAT accused UNRWA of misrepresenting Gaza’s humanitarian conditions, citing its alleged Hamas ties as the reason for its exclusion from aid efforts. The agency refuted UNRWA’s claims about extreme heat and water shortages, highlighting Israel’s measures to ensure civilian access to resources.
The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) issued a sharp rebuke to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), accusing it of spreading misleading information about Gaza’s humanitarian situation due to its ties with Hamas. The criticism followed UNRWA’s social media post claiming that Gaza faced temperatures exceeding 40°C, worsening a crisis marked by dehydration, limited electricity, and ongoing bombardments, while calling for a ceasefire.
COGAT countered these claims, asserting that water is readily available in Gaza through Israeli pipelines, local pumping stations, and desalination facilities. The agency highlighted its efforts to improve water access, including connecting an electricity line to a desalination plant and approving a UAE-backed initiative for a new water line from Egypt. Addressing UNRWA’s temperature claims, COGAT cited meteorological data showing Gaza’s temperatures have not surpassed 35°C. The Israeli body accused UNRWA of being out of touch with the situation, stating, “UNRWA is just not aware of it because they are not involved in the humanitarian response due to their well-established connection with Hamas. Stop parading Hamas narratives to show off relevance.”
COGAT emphasized its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid for Gaza’s civilians, not Hamas, while dismissing UNRWA’s claims as “falsehoods.” The accusations align with longstanding Israeli concerns about UNRWA’s operations, including allegations that some staff members have ties to Hamas, a claim that led to funding suspensions by several countries in 2024. Despite UNRWA’s role in providing aid to millions of Palestinian refugees, its neutrality has been questioned amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which intensified after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. COGAT’s statement underscores Israel’s efforts to bypass UNRWA in coordinating aid, reflecting deep tensions over the agency’s role in the region.