Senior IDF Officer Appointed to Coordinate Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on August 28 the appointment of Col. Elad Goren to a newly created post coordinating humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza. Goren, who will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday in advance of his new role. He will serve within the IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit, which has been tasked with coordinating humanitarian efforts in Gaza. “The position will deal with the integration and implementation of the humanitarian effort in the Gaza Strip and the coordination with the international community, in a way that will allow the implementation of the humanitarian effort while upholding the security interests of the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement. The IDF places “great importance” on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Israeli military added.

Expert Analysis

“Israel’s efforts to address the humanitarian needs of Gazan civilians are a key element in securing the defeat of Hamas. Throughout the war sparked by its atrocities in southern Israel on October 7 last year, Hamas has deliberately sought to increase the suffering of civilians in Gaza, hijacking humanitarian aid and hiding in shelters, schools, and hospitals used by civilians.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“By creating a new senior role in COGAT, Israel is recognizing that it needs to have a better strategy for integrating its critical humanitarian work into the larger military and strategic objectives of the IDF. While Israel has done an incredible and unprecedented job of bringing much-needed aid into Gaza, it has often lacked the ability to publicize this vital work to various audiences. Hopefully, this new position will begin to address some of these challenges.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

Israel Coordinates Transfer of Cooling Equipment for Polio Vaccines to Gaza

In coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Israel delivered polio vaccines for 1,255,000 people in Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on August 25, COGAT said in a statement. On August 28, COGAT provided an update on the polio vaccination campaign, noting that cooling equipment had also been transferred, along with flyers to encourage the public to participate. The vaccines are sufficient to inoculate around half the people in Gaza. “In the coming days, international and local medical teams will vaccinate children who have not yet been vaccinated against polio at various locations in Gaza,” COGAT noted in a statement. Humanitarian pauses in the fighting in Gaza “will allow the population to reach the medical centers where the vaccinations will be administered,” the statement added.

“Israel Partners With UNICEF on Polio Vaccinations, Clean Water,” FDD Flash Brief

“Aiming to Boost Supply of Clean Water, Israel Connects Power Line to Gaza Desalination Plant,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Disputes Report of Imminent Famine in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief