UAE evacuates 210 patients and relatives from Gaza

Wednesday's flight was country's 22nd carrying sick and injured people from enclave

More than 100 patients that have been evacuated from Gaza arrive at Abu Dhabi Airport. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

They left Gaza using the Karam Abu Salem crossing and travelled to Israel's Ramon Airport for their onward flight to to the UAE capital

Among them were 86 critically injured and ill patients, including children and cancer patients in need of extensive treatment, along with 124 of their relatives

The evacuation was carried out in co-operation with the World Health Organisation

A child is visibly emotional after arriving in Abu Dhabi

To date, 2,127 patients and companions have been taken to the UAE from Gaza

The flight on Wednesday was the country's 22nd evacuation

The initiative to treat Palestinians who are injured or need cancer care was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed last year

Devastating war in the enclave has been ongoing since October 2023

The UAE has also provided more than 43,000 tonnes of urgent aid, including food, medical, and relief supplies to the Palestinian people

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

The UAE, in co-operation with the World Health Organisation, evacuated 86 critically injured and ill people and 124 of their relatives from Gaza on Wednesday, including children and cancer patients in dire need of treatment.

They left the Gaza Strip using the Karam Abu Salem crossing and travelled to Ramon Airport in Israel for their onward flight to Abu Dhabi, where they will receive vital medical treatment.

“This new initiative reflects the strong levels of co-operation between the UAE and the World Health Organisation,” said Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“We remain resolute in our collaboration with the United Nations, international partners and relief organisations, and we will continue to extensively undertake a leading and pioneering role in providing advanced health care to wounded Palestinians and those suffering from incurable diseases.

“We are steadfastly supporting endeavours to alleviate this humanitarian crisis using all available means.”

Watch: UAE airlifts 200 patients and their relatives from Gaza

The initiative to treat Palestinians was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed, who set an aim to treat 1,000 children and 1,000 cancer patients in the country’s hospitals. So far, 2,127 patients and companions have been brought to the UAE and the flight on Wednesday was the country's 22nd evacuation.

The UAE has made substantial efforts to provide advanced care to sick and severely injured Palestinians. Since it began operations in December last year, the UAE Field Hospital in the Gaza Strip has treated 50,489 patients. A floating hospital anchored in Al Arish Port in Egypt has treated 6,405 patients since its launch in February.

The UAE has also provided more than 43,000 tonnes of urgent aid, including food, medical and other supplies to the Palestinian people.