Today's Edition
Ahmed Shaaban (Cairo)
Experts in the field of humanitarian work, diplomats, and religious scholars praised the UAE’s “Gallant Knight 3” operation to support the Palestinian people in Gaza, directed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
They confirmed that the operation is an embodiment of the UAE’s generosity and human solidarity, and an extension of the state’s efforts in supporting the Palestinian people over the past decades.
They confirmed in statements to Aletihad that the “Gallant Knight 3” operation will have a significant impact on the Palestinian people in Gaza and will contribute to improving the humanitarian situation and addressing urgent needs, noting that the UAE has a proud history of supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people.
On November 5, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the initiation of the “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation to support the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
His Highness also directed the Joint Operations Command in the Ministry of Defence to cooperate and coordinate fully with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and other UAE humanitarian and charitable institutions to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Moreover, His Highness issued directives to open a call for volunteer doctors registered in the Ministry of Health and Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, in addition to opening the door for volunteers registered with the Red Crescent and other Emirati humanitarian and charitable institutions.
Positive Impact
The Vice President of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, Ambassador Salah Halima, praised the UAE’s humanitarian efforts, including the launch of the “Gallant Knight 3” operation, describing it as a role that is highly regarded, supported, and respected.
Ambassador Halima, in a statement to Aletihad, explained that the events in Gaza confirm the urgent need for increasing humanitarian aid, noting that the UAE’s humanitarian role in helping the people of Gaza is highly encouraged and appreciated.
This role is pivotal and extremely important, the Ambassador said, confirming that the UAE’s actions also have a positive political impact by endorsing support for the Palestinian and Gazan people. Moreover, it also expresses the alignment of the UAE’s position with brotherly Arab countries.
Ambassador Halima pointed out that the “Gallant Knight 3” operation will significantly contribute to improving the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and addressing urgent and immediate humanitarian needs, especially in terms of medicines, food, and other humanitarian aid, amid the absence of a ceasefire and the ongoing war.
During the UAE’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council, the country called on the international community to prioritise the Palestinian issue and continue to support the Palestinian people.
The UAE has called for increasing humanitarian and alleviating the difficult conditions the refugees face. It has also expressed and called for solidarity with the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Charitable Work
Professor of Islamic Law at Al-Azhar University, Dr. Ahmad Karima, praised the UAE’s launch of the “Gallant Knight 3” operation to support the Palestinians in Gaza, emphasising that it reflects the spirit of Islamic Law, which always calls for tolerance and charitable work.
He noted that it is not surprising that the UAE rushed to help a brotherly nation, emphasising that such humanitarian acts are encouraged by Allah in the Holy Quran: “And do good; perhaps you will succeed.”
During his conversation with Aletihad, the professor emphasised that the humanitarian initiatives directed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan aim to alleviate the great suffering the people of Gaza endure.
This includes providing food, medical supplies, and other necessary assistance, in addition to establishing a field hospital, confirming that this operation embodies human brotherhood.
Dr. Karima said that the “Gallant Knight 3” operation reflects the Arab stance of the UAE and is an exemplification of Prophet Muhammad’s words: The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.”
This affirms the significance of the UAE’s charitable work, as the country always tries to protect people from destruction and death, he said, noting that the preservation of human life is one of the objectives of Islamic Law.
Karima said that the “Gallant Knight 3” operation embodies the UAE’s sincere support for Palestine and its just cause. He added that it also expresses the UAE’s authentic approach towards supporting brotherly countries in difficult circumstances and extending a helping hand to them.
Reconstruction
In 2014, the UAE allocated Dh150 million (approximately $41 million) for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the war it witnessed. The ERC and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) signed an agreement to rebuild and reconstruct Gaza. This comes as a result of the UAE’s principled and historical commitment to stand by the Palestinian people and support their humanitarian causes.
ERC’s rehabilitation initiative included the reconstruction of homes damaged by the events at that time, in addition to rehabilitating health, educational, and service institutions, in an effort to improve the lives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Support for Brotherly Countries
Dr. Salah El-Din El-Jaafari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mishwar Developmental Foundation, expressed appreciation for the UAE’s “Gallant Knight 3” operation, affirming that the country has always supported brotherly countries.
Since the era of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE has always voiced its support for Palestine, the expert said, adding that these efforts are continuing during the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The “Gallant Knight 3” campaign follows the noble characteristics of the UAE leaders, El-Jaafari stressed.
El-Jaafari told Aletihad that the UAE embodies the original meaning of nobility, noting that the country is always the first to extend a helping hand in any disaster that occurs in any region of the world, regardless of race, religion, or gender.
He pointed out that the directives to support the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, stem from the humanitarian nature that all Emiratis possess.
El-Jaafari appreciated the establishment of the field hospital in the Gaza Strip, which caters to many critical cases and treats the injured.
He confirmed that the people of Gaza are in urgent need of this hospital, as most of the sector’s hospitals are out of service.
El-Jaafari described the “Gallant Knight 3” operation as “profoundly influential”, as it comes at a time when the people of Gaza need all the help they can get, especially after the sector has experienced a lack of water, fuel, medicine, and food.
He noted that the UAE has a strong presence on the Arab and international stages and has been a significant and robust supporter of the Palestinian people for decades, not just today. He anticipates that this operation will achieve its desired goals.
