Following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, the UAE continues its humanitarian efforts to support Palestinian brethren in Gaza Strip as part of the “Valiant Knight 3” operation. This includes conducting an air bridge that has reached 174 flights by day 120, in addition to two cargo ships and 521 trucks that have transported aid overland through Egypt to Gaza. This effort aims to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the sector, who are facing exceptionally critical conditions, especially women and children. The UAE bridge continues to transport medical supplies, food assistance, and urgent relief to the Palestinian brethren.
His Highness the President of the State had ordered the Joint Operations in the Ministry of Defense to initiate the “Valiant Knight 3” humanitarian operation to support the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. His Highness also ordered the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defense to fully cooperate and coordinate with the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works, Zayed bin Sultan Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Works, and other humanitarian and charitable institutions in the country to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian people.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza since the recent conflict on October 7 has been dire, with significant impacts on health, food security, and basic living conditions for the population. Hospitals in Gaza, like the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, have been overwhelmed by the influx of patients, facing critical shortages of medical supplies and even body bags. The health system is on the brink of collapse due to the continuous bombardment, severely affecting the provision of essential health services.
Food insecurity has become a grave concern, with UNRWA reporting that nearly half a million people have been unable to access food rations since the start of the conflict. The only functional flour mill is struggling to meet demand, and airstrikes have damaged agricultural land and livestock, exacerbating the food crisis. Essential items like eggs, bread, and vegetables are in short supply, leading to desperate scrambles for available food.
The water situation has also reached a critical point, with families spending hours in search of drinking water. The available water is often unsafe, coming from small desalination and purification plants or brackish agricultural wells, raising concerns about waterborne diseases. The situation is compounded by the severe damage to water and sanitation infrastructure due to the conflict.
The UN has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing the unacceptable toll of civilian casualties, including a staggering number of women and children. The displacement of people, the targeting of shelters and schools, and the dire need for basic necessities have all been highlighted as urgent concerns that need immediate international attention.
In addition to the health crisis, WHO has reported a significant number of civilian deaths and injuries, with attacks on health workers, patients, and medical facilities further depleting the already strained health system in Gaza. WHO, in collaboration with partners, is striving to address the most urgent health needs by providing life-saving medical supplies and urging all parties to protect health and ensure safe access to healthcare.
