The United Arab Emirates has carried out a critical humanitarian mission, evacuating 188 injured Palestinians and their family members from Gaza for urgent medical treatment. This latest airlift, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), marks the 24th such operation aimed at providing lifesaving care to those most affected by the ongoing crisis.
The emergency flight, which arrived in the UAE at dawn on Friday, carried 81 critically injured individuals and cancer patients—half of whom are children. The evacuees were transported from the besieged territory via the Karam Abu Salam crossing and flown out of Israel’s Ramon Airport, accompanied by 107 family members.
This large-scale medical evacuation aligns with the directive of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has pledged to provide advanced medical care for 1,000 Palestinian children and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza in UAE hospitals.
Upon arrival, emergency medical teams swiftly assessed and transferred the most critically injured patients to specialized healthcare facilities, ensuring they receive immediate attention. The remaining evacuees and their families were transported to Emirates Humanitarian City, where they will receive ongoing support and care.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian commitment to the Palestinian people, particularly in times of crisis. The country has actively worked to alleviate the dire conditions faced by Gaza’s civilians, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, highlighted the significance of these efforts, stating, “The UAE’s continued medical evacuations reaffirm our unwavering commitment to delivering critical healthcare support to injured Palestinians. Our mission is not just to provide treatment, but to offer hope and relief to those suffering amidst unprecedented hardship.”
Al Shamsi also emphasized the UAE’s dedication to working closely with international partners and the UN to expand humanitarian assistance and address the crisis on a broader scale.
Beyond medical evacuations, the UAE has been actively supporting Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. This includes establishing a fully operational field hospital in southern Gaza, deploying a floating hospital stationed at Egypt’s Al-Arish Port, and providing essential medical equipment, medicines, and supplies to hospitals within the Strip.
Since the onset of the crisis, the UAE has mobilized extensive humanitarian aid, dispatching emergency relief supplies to mitigate the suffering of Gaza’s civilians. These coordinated efforts reflect the nation’s determination to respond swiftly and effectively to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe, ensuring that vital assistance reaches those in urgent need.