UAE medical aid flight to Al Arish, Egypt, evacuates Palestinian cancer patients and wounded - In pictures

  • Medical staff help injured people and cancer patients from Gaza board the UAE-bound Etihad aircraft at Al Arish airport in Egypt. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Medical staff help injured people and cancer patients from Gaza board the UAE-bound Etihad aircraft at Al Arish airport in Egypt. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • These patients will receive treatment in the UAE
    These patients will receive treatment in the UAE
  • This is the sixth flight organised by the UAE to fly out Palestinian patients for medical treatment
    This is the sixth flight organised by the UAE to fly out Palestinian patients for medical treatment
  • Injured Palestinians and cancer patients arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport
    Injured Palestinians and cancer patients arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport
  • Medical staff help a Palestinian patient into an ambulance
    Medical staff help a Palestinian patient into an ambulance
  • Staff at the airport helped to carry belongings and children to buses
    Staff at the airport helped to carry belongings and children to buses
  • More than 100 Gazans landed in the UAE capital, where they will receive much-needed medical treatment
    More than 100 Gazans landed in the UAE capital, where they will receive much-needed medical treatment
  • UAE officials said more flights were planned
    UAE officials said more flights were planned
  • A woman disembarks the flight with a child
    A woman disembarks the flight with a child
  • Medical staff ferry sick and injured Palestinians to waiting transport
    Medical staff ferry sick and injured Palestinians to waiting transport
  • A paediatric patient waves as she begins her journey to a medical facility
    A paediatric patient waves as she begins her journey to a medical facility
  • A Palestinian patient prepares to board an ambulance
    A Palestinian patient prepares to board an ambulance
  • Staff assist a woman as she leaves the plane
    Staff assist a woman as she leaves the plane
  • Ambulances bring injured Palestinians and cancer patients from Gaza to Al Arish airport in Egypt
    Ambulances bring injured Palestinians and cancer patients from Gaza to Al Arish airport in Egypt
  • The patients were flown to the UAE on an Etihad aircraft for treatment
    The patients were flown to the UAE on an Etihad aircraft for treatment
  • Medical staff carry the patients on to the plane
    Medical staff carry the patients on to the plane
  • More than 100 cancer patients and wounded Palestinians boarded the plane
    More than 100 cancer patients and wounded Palestinians boarded the plane
  • The UAE has committed to providing free medical care for 1,000 injured children and another 1,000 Palestinians with cancer
    The UAE has committed to providing free medical care for 1,000 injured children and another 1,000 Palestinians with cancer
  • Doctors and nurses from hospitals in the Emirates volunteered to be part of the operation
    Doctors and nurses from hospitals in the Emirates volunteered to be part of the operation
  • The Etihad plane was due to land in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning
    The Etihad plane was due to land in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning
  • The Etihad plane had 10 stretchers suspended over seats
    The Etihad plane had 10 stretchers suspended over seats
  • Patients will be brought for treatment at hospitals in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
    Patients will be brought for treatment at hospitals in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
  • The UAE has conducted six flights so far to bring sick and injured Gazans out of Al Arish
    The UAE has conducted six flights so far to bring sick and injured Gazans out of Al Arish
  • The level of preparation on the sixth flight appeared to be a lot higher than in previous ones
    The level of preparation on the sixth flight appeared to be a lot higher than in previous ones
  • Flight medical commander Joe Coughlan, right, briefs medical staff before landing at Al Arish airport in Egypt
    Flight medical commander Joe Coughlan, right, briefs medical staff before landing at Al Arish airport in Egypt
  • Patients suspected of having infections are clearly marked using two wristbands, while people who need wheelchair assistance are placed in the emergency exit aisle
    Patients suspected of having infections are clearly marked using two wristbands, while people who need wheelchair assistance are placed in the emergency exit aisle
  • At the hangar in Al Arish, the patients were tended to by a team of about 40 people from different UAE government departments
    At the hangar in Al Arish, the patients were tended to by a team of about 40 people from different UAE government departments