UAE delivers more critical medical aid to Gaza

Three aid convoys packed with 249 tonnes of vital supplies entered the Rafah border last week

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

The UAE has sent more critical medical aid to the Gaza Strip, with three convoys packed with 249 tonnes of vital supplies entering Egypt's Rafah border crossing last week.

The convoys, comprising of 35 lorries, carried dialysis machines, ultrasound devices, resuscitation sets, wheelchairs, and respiratory masks, as well as medical consumables and various types of essential medication. It also included food supplies, shelter tents and other items.

This brings the total aid sent to Gaza at more than 29,000 tonnes. Authorities used 153 convoys, comprising of 2,391 lorries, to deliver it.

It is part of the UAE's Gallant Knight 3 operation, which was launched last November under the directive of President Sheikh Mohamed to help Palestinian people caught in the deadly conflict.

“Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 aims to provide aid to all affected groups in the Gaza Strip, reflecting the UAE's commitment to intensifying relief efforts and enhancing humanitarian support for the Palestinian people,” the government said.

Fadel bin Arhama Al Shamsi, Medical Coordinator at the UAE’s humanitarian mission to Gaza, told The National that “more than 100 tonnes of the aid included medications, such as antibiotics and pain-relief tablets, and medical equipment”.

Mr Al Shamsi explained that the medical aid is stored in “the UAE’s warehouses in Egyptian town of Al Arish” under “high standards of quality and safety”.

“We store medications in specific rooms that are maintained at specific temperatures.”

The aid will be soon be delivered to the UAE field hospital in Gaza and “distributed to other hospitals and healthcare providers in Gaza”, Mr Al Shamsi added.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that Israel has imposed barriers to aid deliveries in Gaza, especially in the north of the enclave.

The UAE has sent dozens of aid flights carrying thousands of tonnes of vital supplies to support Gazans.

The country has topped the list of donor countries, contributing 42 per cent of the total aid sent to Gaza since Israel's war on the enclave began. In its report, the German Press Agency valued UAE's contributions at $828 million.

The country was among the first to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with Sheikh Mohamed launching the Gallant Knight operation to send aid by land, air and sea. Since beginning operations in December last year, the UAE Field Hospital in Gaza has treated more than 50,000 patients.

A floating hospital in Al Arish Port has treated more than 7,500 patients since opening in February last year. The UAE has also established two other hospitals, including one with a centre to provide prosthetic limbs for Palestinians injured in the war.