COGAT pushes back after UK’s Cameron claims Israel arbitrarily hindering flow of aid to Gaza

COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body governing civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, invites British Foreign Secretary David Cameron to meet with the body and learn about the extent of Israel’s humanitarian operation in Gaza after he accused it of hindering the flow of aid.

In a letter to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Alicia Kearns — cited by the Guardian, Cameron claimed that aid cannot reach the war-torn Palestinian enclave due to “arbitrary denials by the Govt of Israel and lengthy clearance procedures, including multiple screenings and narrow opening windows in daylight hours.”

In response, COGAT writes on X, formerly Twitter, that Israel does not block aid from entering arbitrarily, and that it is “simply inspecting the aid for security reasons, and it’s done efficiently.”

The defense ministry body adds that it is able to inspect “44 trucks an hour in both Crossings combined.”

Cameron also accused Israel of closing the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Saturday due to it being the Jewish Sabbath, which COGAT denies is the case.

“They are closed on Sabbath by agreement with the UN, to allow the UN to collect the aid transferred during the week that has accumulated due to low logistic capacity,” it explains.

“Coordinate more aid to Gaza. We will facilitate,” it adds.

We suggest, once again, that you meet with COGAT and hear the full scale of Israel’s humanitarian efforts towards the Gaza Strip.
The crossings aren't closed because of the Sabbath. ???? https://t.co/dAEIK9d642 pic.twitter.com/KLvlA2GXuh

— COGAT (@cogatonline) March 21, 2024