The UAE’s humanitarian mission to Gaza has provided more than $3.89 billion (Dh14.2 billion) of aid, as the operation marked 1,000 days in support of the Palestinian people.
Since the launch of Operation Gallant Knight 3 on November 5, 2023, the UAE has been at the forefront of aid deliveries and humanitarian assistance.
It has set up a floating hospital in Egypt and two medical centres in Gaza, and has brought thousands of medical patients, including many suffering from cancer and war-related injuries, to the Emirates to receive care.
And the mission, issued under the directive of President Sheikh Mohamed, marked its 1,000-day milestone with five more humanitarian aid convoys entering the Gaza Strip, delivering 1,056 tonnes of supplies aboard 74 lorries.
Crucial aid drive
More than 126,000 tonnes of relief, medical and food aid have now been delivered to Gaza through more than 770 flights, 25 ships and 13,000 lorries.
The aid has been processed through the UAE field hospital in the Gaza Strip and its affiliated medical centres.
Together, these centres have provided treatment to more than 230,000 patients, while also establishing and operating centres that have strengthened healthcare capacity.
Through 81 airdrop missions, more than 4,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies have also been delivered to areas inaccessible by land.
Meanwhile, the UAE's floating hospital in the Egyptian city of Al Arish has carried out thousands of operations on Palestinian patients since its launch in February 2024.
The medical facility at sea is equipped with advanced surgical and intensive care units, a radiology department and laboratories. It has capacity for 100 patient beds and an additional 100 for accompanying relatives.
The repurposed vessel is playing a key role in the UAE's Step of Hope programme, set up in June to help civilians who lost limbs during the war.
It was announced last week that the hospital had fitted prosthetic limbs for 51 Palestinian amputees since the launch of the campaign.
Under the scheme, patients are assessed on the floating hospital, where measurements are taken to customise prosthetic limbs.
Gazans grateful
Gazans forced to bear the brunt of a prolonged humanitarian crisis are thankful for the lifeline delivered by the UAE.
Mohammed Mossa, 32, who is from Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, and is displaced in Gaza city, said UAE aid helped him to provide for his wife and unborn child.
“My wife was pregnant in July 2025, during the height of the hunger crisis. Whenever I went to the market, everything was extremely expensive and I simply couldn’t afford the prices,” he said.
He was given fresh hope when he learnt he had been approved for an aid package sent by the UAE humanitarian team.
“It was very difficult to reach the distribution point, but I had no other choice. I needed to provide food for my wife, whose pregnancy was at risk,” he said.
“The aid package contained sugar, dates, coffee, milk, rice and other essential supplies that were incredibly helpful for my wife. I thanked God and felt that this package had saved both my wife and our unborn baby.”
Hossam Jamal, 37, from Gaza city, said essential supplies from the Emirates made a “huge difference” to his family as they faced escalating food costs.
“The milk was especially important for my two young boys, who needed proper nutrition. The coffee was also very valuable to me because I drink a lot of coffee, and when I couldn’t find it in the market, it was very difficult.
“My wife was especially happy to receive the sugar and the other supplies. They helped us survive during an incredibly difficult time.”
UAE offers safe haven
The UAE government has also provided shelter to more than 2,000 Palestinians evacuated from the crisis-hit enclave at Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi.
The EHC has served as a sanctuary for many of those affected by the conflict.
About medical 150 appointments are carried out each day within the vast complex, not including those admitted to hospitals in the capital for complex surgery.
Iftar held at Emirates Humanitarian City – in pictures
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EHC plans to host regular group iftars, offering different cuisines for each week of Ramadan -
More than 3,000 Palestinians from Gaza gathered for a group iftar at Emirates Humanitarian City. All photos: Victor Besa / The National -
Round tables seating six or seven people were set out across the EHC lawns -
The food is carried to the tables -
Those who attended said the gathering offered brief relief from the pain of being separated from their families in Gaza -
Food being prepared for the mass iftar at EHC
A separate building at EHC has a pharmacy, clinics, a ward with hospital beds staffed by doctors, paediatricians, an internal medicine doctor, psychiatrists, dentists and a rehabilitation specialist.
EHC has a medical team of more than 50 doctors, nurses, therapists and administrators. A school serving more than 400 children has also been established at the EHC to support Gazans living there.
Food and water shortages
More than 1,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli attacks since the most recent truce took effect, according to Gaza health officials.
Gazans continue to face acute food and water shortages, while much of the population remains displaced after sustained bombardment destroyed their homes.
New data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates that 74,200 children under the age of five in Gaza will require treatment for acute malnutrition by next year, with more than 11,400 severe and potentially fatal cases.
The IPC classifies the entire Gaza Strip as being in “crisis”, the third level on a five-point scale. It forecasts 1.4 million people will experience high levels of acute food insecurity by December.
In June, the UAE announced it would provide an additional Dh36.7 million ($9.9 million) in aid for Gaza.
More than 160,000 food parcels and at least 40,000 health kits are to be distributed across Gaza under the initiative.
The funding was allocated by the Emirates Red Crescent at the direction of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and ERC Chairman.
