DUBAI: An Emirati ship carrying 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza set sail on Monday, heading for the Egyptian city of Al-Arish, the UAE state news agency reported.
The aid mission is part of the UAE's “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” which is aimed at supporting the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war against Hamas in the enclave.
The vessel left the Port of Fujairah with 4,750 tonnes of food and 590 tonnes of shelter materials. The cargo has been provided by the Emirates Red Crescent, the Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
In a broader effort to assist Gaza, the UAE has initiated several projects, including the establishment of two field hospitals — one in Gaza and another as a floating hospital off the coast of Al-Arish.
Additionally, five bakeries have been established, and flour has been supplied to eight existing bakeries in Gaza. Six desalination plants have also been established, producing 1.2 million gallons of water per day to benfit more than 600,000 people.
Recently, the UAE launched the “Birds of Goodness,” operation that involves airdropping humanitarian aid to isolated areas in the northern Gaza Strip that are inaccessible by land. To date this operation has delivered 3,382 tonnes of relief and humanitarian supplies.