Today's Edition
SHAABAN BILAL (CAIRO)
Hisham Muhanna, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, praised the United Arab Emirates for their significant humanitarian and medical contributions in Gaza, labelling these actions as vital.
In his statements to Aletihad, Muhanna detailed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by the continuous displacement of residents to Rafah in the Strip’s southern region. He also welcomed all efforts aimed at reducing the suffering of the Gazan people.
The Red Cross spokesperson highlighted the UAE’s varied roles, including providing relief, food aid, and establishing field hospitals.
Additionally, the UAE supplied substantial amounts of drinking water and psychological support for children impacted by the war’s hardships.
The “Tarahum - for Gaza” campaign, launched by the UAE, illustrates the nation’s commitment to humanitarian solidarity and cooperation.
Another humanitarian campaign facilitated by the UAE features an integrated field hospital, with a capacity exceeding 150 beds, established under the “Gallant Knight 3” operation, which focuses on delivering comprehensive aid and humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s population.
Muhanna emphasised the overwhelming situation for humanitarian actors in Gaza due to ongoing hostilities, the broadening of military operations throughout the northern and southern provinces, and the limited humanitarian aid allowed into the region.
He noted that during a brief ceasefire, there was a window to intensify humanitarian efforts. This included organising multiple convoys and trucks loaded with medical supplies, medications, and assistive devices, which were immediately utilised upon reaching hospitals.
The ICRC spokesperson underscored the importance of ceasefires in enabling the maximum possible humanitarian support, crucial for treating the wounded.
This pause is also vital for hospitals to restore their capacities, Muhanna said, noting that this would allow medical teams, who have been relentlessly working for over three months, to adequately address the growing number of casualties, especially those with serious injuries like amputations and severe burns.
The UAE’s unprecedented support efforts for the Palestinian people encompass healthcare, nutrition, clean water, and shelter provisions. This support is evidenced by over 141 relief flights via the Emirati air bridge to transport humanitarian supplies, 121 trucks delivering medical supplies, food aid, and urgent relief assistance, and a relief ship carrying 4016 tonnes of humanitarian supplies dispatched to the Gaza Strip.
