JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The United States has assumed primary control over the coordination of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, sidelining Israel’s long-standing role in the process as part of President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative for the region.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The transition, finalized Friday, shifts authority from Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) — the Israel Defense Forces unit responsible for regulating aid flows into the enclave — to a U.S. military-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) established near the Gaza border in southern Israel.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, described the change as positioning Israelis “part of the conversation” while ultimate decisions rest with the broader CMCC body. The center, under the auspices of U.S. Central Command and led by Adm. Brad Cooper, aims to streamline the delivery of food, medical supplies and reconstruction materials following last month’s ceasefire.
Multiple individuals familiar with the CMCC’s early operations, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, characterized the center’s first weeks as marked by disarray and indecision. These sources highlighted logistical hurdles, including delays in securing international partnerships and internal debates over aid prioritization, even as the enclave grapples with ongoing shortages.
The move relegates Israel to a consultative role in determining the volume, type and entry points for humanitarian relief, according to three people involved in the handover. COGAT, which has overseen aid since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, previously controlled inspections and approvals at border crossings like Kerem Shalom and Erez.
Despite the ceasefire that took effect Oct. 10 — the first phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan unveiled last month — aid inflows have improved modestly but remain far below needs, with Israel cited by aid groups for persistent restrictions.The United Nations estimates Gaza requires at least 600 aid trucks daily to avert famine, yet daily entries have hovered around 200, per recent reports from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Trump’s plan, accepted by Israel on Sept. 29 and by Hamas on Oct. 3, includes phased hostage releases, prisoner exchanges and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration under an international “Board of Peace” chaired by the president. Civilian diplomat Steven Fagin serves as the CMCC’s lead, focusing on facilitating assistance from global partners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Israeli-American businessman Michael Eisenberg as Israel’s representative to the CMCC last month, signaling a collaborative yet diminished posture. Eisenberg, previously linked to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is tasked with bridging U.S.-Israeli coordination.
The CMCC’s rollout follows U.S. efforts to bolster aid amid criticisms of prior mechanisms, including the foundation accused by humanitarian organizations of inefficiencies and risks to civilians.
As Gaza’s recovery accelerates under the truce — with reports of reopened bakeries, hospital rehabilitations and rubble clearance — observers say the U.S. pivot could enhance efficiency but risks straining bilateral ties if Israeli concerns over security are overlooked.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Israeli officials, meanwhile, emphasized their commitment to the peace framework while emphasizing the need for robust border security.
