The UAE's largest Gaza aid ship carrying a fully equipped field hospital and 7,166 tonnes of vital supplies has docked in Egypt's Al Arish Port on a major humanitarian mission.
The Khalifa set sail from Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi on July 21, loaded with 4,372 tonnes of food, 1,433 tonnes of shelter supplies, 860 tonnes of medical materials and 501 tonnes of health items.
It is the eighth aid ship to be sent by the Emirates as part of the country's Operation Gallant Knight 3, a relief campaign launched after the outbreak of war with Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Khalifa was met by a delegation of representatives from humanitarian and charitable groups, along with Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, secretary general of the Emirates Red Crescent, and Egyptian officials.
The critical aid on board is to be transported from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, providing a vital lifeline to embattled Palestinians bearing the brunt of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
UAE pledges support
The UAE has provided more than $1.5 billion in financial support to Gaza since the start of the conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The comprehensive assistance has included more than 80,000 tonnes of aid to help alleviate the suffering of Gazans facing chronic food shortages and limited access to health care.
About 60,100 Palestinians have been killed and 150,027 injured since the war began, according to the latest figures released by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
The UN children's fund said on Monday that an average of 28 children a day have been killed in Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.
"Death by bombardments. Death by malnutrition and starvation. Death by lack of aid and vital services," Unicef said on X. "In Gaza, an average of 28 children a day – the size of a classroom – have been killed."
The agency said more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza over the past 22 months.
Unicef added that "Gaza's children need food, water, medicine and protection. More than anything, they need a ceasefire – now."
