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Thursday, May 21, 2026
COGAT demands UN halt support for Turkish IHH group over Hamas ties
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleStav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) demands that the UN World Food Programme immediately halt its support to the Turkish IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, according to a letter sent by the agency.
“Following information received by the CLA (Cluster Lead Agency) from a routine World Food Programme report, I am writing to demand immediate suspension of fuel distribution and all other support by WFP to IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation,” the letter signed by COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy states.
Israel designated IHH as a terror organization in 2008 over the group’s alleged financial and operational support for Hamas, making its activities illegal in Israel.
“Supporting activities of a designated terror organization is seen as a serious offense that could carry severe consequences,” the letter states. “I expect full cooperation from WFP in addressing this matter promptly and transparently.”
The demand comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and the IHH, which has played a central role in organizing recent flotillas seeking to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.