Early today, Friday, the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, facilitated the arrival of the twenty-fourth evacuation plane. The plane carried 81 injured and cancer-stricken patients from Gaza, half of whom are children. Departing from Ramon Airport in Israel and entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing, they are to receive treatment in UAE hospitals, accompanied by about 107 family members.
This urgent evacuation follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to provide treatment and healthcare for 1,000 Palestinian children injured and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza in UAE hospitals.
Immediately upon their arrival, medical teams transferred the injured and those needing immediate care to hospitals for treatment, while the remaining patients and their companions were moved to the Emirates Humanitarian City for lodging.
This initiative is part of the UAE's long-standing support for the Palestinian people, especially the residents of Gaza facing the current crisis. Emirati humanitarian initiatives aim to alleviate the catastrophic impacts on Gaza's residents, particularly children, women, and the elderly.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Head of the UAE International Aid Agency, stated: "The UAE's ongoing medical evacuation efforts reflect its commitment to providing advanced healthcare to Palestinian casualties and contributing humanitarian support during these critical times they face."
Mr. Sultan Al Shamsi added that the UAE will continue working diligently with international partners and the United Nations to intensify efforts to lessen this humanitarian disaster.
Since the crisis began, the UAE has ensured the provision of treatment for those affected and offered healthcare to Gaza residents through its field hospital in southern Gaza, the floating hospital off the coast of the Egyptian city of Arish, and by supplying equipment, medicines, and medical supplies to Gaza hospitals.
The UAE quickly extended urgent humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza since the crisis began, with these initiatives continuing its efforts to relieve civilian suffering in Gaza in a coordinated and rapid response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, working to mitigate its negative consequences.