Abu Dhabi, UAE — The UAE has continued to be a leading force in providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Under the expansive “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” the UAE has prioritized critical medical care, relief efforts, and infrastructure support, making significant contributions since the onset of the conflict.
Strategic Medical and Relief Operations
From the outset, the UAE mobilized quickly to assist Gaza’s injured and displaced. The UAE Field Hospital, established in Rafah last year, remains operational despite ongoing military activity. The hospital has treated over 48,700 injured individuals, offering vital medical care across several specialties.
Additionally, the UAE deployed a fully-equipped floating hospital in the Egyptian city of Al Arish. This mobile facility has provided specialized surgical care and outpatient services, treating over 5,000 cases to date. The UAE’s humanitarian efforts also include a prosthetic limb initiative that has helped residents of Gaza who lost limbs in the conflict regain mobility and independence.
Health and Medical Supplies
The UAE has played a crucial role in bolstering Gaza’s strained health sector. In partnership with international organizations, the UAE delivered 736.25 tonnes of medical supplies, including medicines, emergency kits, and medical equipment. This also includes the rehabilitation of hospitals and clinics that have been severely damaged. In a significant initiative, the UAE evacuated 1,000 children and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza for specialized medical treatment in the UAE, covering treatment costs and medications.
In response to the risk of disease outbreaks, the UAE launched a polio vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing over 640,000 children under the age of ten, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Logistical Support and Relief Deliveries
The UAE has demonstrated extraordinary logistical coordination in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Through a combination of air, sea, and land transport, the UAE has dispatched over 34,000 tonnes of aid. This includes 273 cargo flights, five cargo ships, and 1,284 trucks. Additionally, the UAE launched its “Birds of Goodness” operation, using C-17 aircraft to air-drop supplies into isolated areas of Gaza. To date, 53 air drops have delivered 3,623 tonnes of relief materials.
Water and Sanitation Projects
A key area of focus for the UAE has been addressing Gaza’s critical water shortages. The UAE established six desalination plants in Al Arish, with a daily capacity of two million gallons, providing vital water supplies to more than one million people in Gaza. The UAE also implemented projects to repair damaged water infrastructure, including water lines, wells, and networks in areas like Khan Yunis and North Gaza, significantly improving access to clean water for thousands of residents.
Continued Commitment to Humanitarian Aid
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, the UAE’s humanitarian mission continues to evolve. Volunteers in the “Chivalrous Knight 3” operation are distributing essential aid, including shelter tents, winter clothing, food parcels, children’s essentials, and hygiene supplies.
A year after the launch of one of the most extensive relief efforts in the region, the UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Gaza’s health, infrastructure, and displaced families. The UAE’s ongoing efforts have brought life-saving aid to those who need it most and continue to alleviate the hardships faced by the Palestinian people.
Looking Ahead
As the UAE prepares to extend its relief operation into the new year, its efforts highlight a sustained dedication to improving living conditions in Gaza. The continued support, under the direction of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, demonstrates the UAE’s long-term commitment to humanitarian aid and the wellbeing of the Palestinian people.
