As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, the United Arab Emirates remains one of the leading Arab countries providing large-scale assistance to Palestinian civilians. The arrival this Thursday of the final aircraft from the “Hamid Air Bridge” at Egypt’s El Arish International Airport highlights the scale of an operation that has continued uninterrupted since the outbreak of the war following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The latest aircraft, carrying 100 tons of food supplies and more than 3,200 humanitarian food parcels for Gaza’s population, concludes nearly two months of intensive air operations conducted under the Emirati humanitarian initiative “Operation Gallant Knight 3.” In total, the air bridge transported approximately 600 tons of humanitarian and relief aid to the logistical hub of El Arish, which serves as a key gateway for assistance entering Gaza.
Beyond this final flight, however, it is the broader humanitarian strategy implemented by Abu Dhabi since the beginning of the conflict that deserves particular attention. Since October 2023, the UAE has deployed a multidimensional relief operation that includes airlifts, land convoys, maritime aid corridors, field hospitals, medical evacuations, support for wounded children, and the delivery of food, medicine, drinking water, shelter equipment, and emergency supplies.
At El Arish, Emirati humanitarian teams work daily under extremely difficult conditions to receive, organize, store, and prepare aid shipments before their transfer toward Gaza. These operations are coordinated with Egyptian authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground in order to ensure that assistance reaches the most affected civilian populations as quickly as possible.
The United Arab Emirates has also established a field hospital dedicated to treating wounded Palestinians, deployed specialized medical teams, and organized humanitarian programs aimed at evacuating critically ill and injured children for treatment abroad. Maritime operations launched by the UAE have additionally enabled the shipment of large quantities of aid through alternative humanitarian corridors designed to overcome the severe restrictions affecting land access routes.
These humanitarian efforts take place in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel, which triggered a devastating regional conflict with dramatic consequences for both Palestinian and Israeli civilians. Many regional observers argue that Hamas’ military strategy plunged Gaza into an unprecedented cycle of destruction, contributing to the collapse of civilian infrastructure, the tightening of border restrictions, and the deepening of the humanitarian catastrophe affecting the population.
Under these conditions, humanitarian operations face enormous logistical, political, and security-related obstacles on a daily basis. The delivery of aid remains dependent on border authorizations, security inspections, and the evolving military situation on the ground. Despite these challenges, the UAE has maintained a sustained humanitarian presence and continues to be among the most active regional actors supporting civilians in Gaza.
For Abu Dhabi, this humanitarian commitment goes beyond emergency relief alone. Emirati authorities present these initiatives as part of a broader diplomatic vision based on regional stability, humanitarian solidarity, and the protection of civilian populations during times of conflict.
As international organizations continue to call for expanded humanitarian access to Gaza, the role played by the United Arab Emirates increasingly stands out as one of the central pillars of regional humanitarian support for Palestinians facing one of the most severe crises in recent Middle Eastern history.
