The UAE will treat 1,000 Palestinian cancer patients in its hospitals after Gaza's health system collapsed due to Israel's war in the enclave.
The decision by President Sheikh Mohamed on Saturday will include treatment for patients of all ages, state news agency Wam said.
The move came just hours after the first of 1,000 injured children arrived in Abu Dhabi on a medical flight. Many require complex treatment for lost limbs and burns.
The 2,000 patients will be accompanied by family or guardians.
The first arrivals on Saturday, comprising about 15 children and their families, were transported to the UAE's Burjeel Hospital, NMC Royal Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City where more than 20 doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians awaited them.
President Sheikh Mohamed on November 5 announced a humanitarian operation to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Under Gallant Knight 3, the Ministry of Defence's Joint Operations Command is co-ordinating with the Emirates Red Crescent, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and Zayed bin Sultan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation to provide support in Gaza.
The UAE is in the process of setting up a field hospital in the Gaza Strip.
Doctors registered with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi can volunteer.
Those registered with the Red Crescent and the UAE humanitarian and charitable institutions can also volunteer. Officials opened online registration last week for medical workers keen to lend a helping hand to relief efforts.
The UAE has so far sent 51 planes carrying 1,400 tonnes of food, medical and relief supplies to the Gaza Strip.
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Injured children from Gaza were brought to the UAE. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Injured children were brought to Abu Dhabi International Airport -
The move is part of humanitarian efforts by the UAE -
Injured children from Gaza arrive in the UAE -
About 1,000 people in total are expected to come to the UAE for treatment from Gaza -
Patients board the aircraft in Al Arish, Egypt. The chartered plane brought injured children from Gaza to the UAE. -
Patients board the aircraft in Al Arish. -
More than 20 doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians from the UAE’s Burjeel Hospital, NMC Royal Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City assessed patients. -
Patients were evacuated late on Friday when the Rafah border opened during a humanitarian pause after more than six weeks of continuous Israeli bombardment on Gaza. -
Patients were taken to UAE following an initiative from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed that will allow injured Palestinian children from Gaza to be flown in for treatment at UAE hospitals. -
Medics arrive in Al Arish ahead of bringing the injured to the UAE. -
Gallant Knight 3 was launched on November 5 under the leadership of the Joint Operations Command at the Ministry of Defence, along with other partners. -
The initiative also provides volunteering opportunities for doctors registered with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi -
Since the announcement of the UAE operation, Gallant Knight 3, the UAE has flown out several cargo planes carrying equipment and medical supplies for the hospital -
Patients boarded the aircraft in Al Arish after being evacuated from Gaza -
The injured people and their relatives are the first batch of 1,000 women and children to be evacuated to the UAE -
For those not medically fit to fly out of Al Arish, the Emirati Red Crescent is to build a field hospital near the Rafah border where patients can receive treatment.
