At the heart of the UAE’s humanitarian response to Gaza lies movement: the movement of supplies, the coordination of logistics, and, most importantly, the movement of people who show up because they care. This instinct is deeply rooted in the nation’s identity; and in Gaza, it has taken tangible form. Today, the UAE accounts for approximately 44% of global humanitarian assistance reaching the Strip, reflecting a culture of ethical responsibility towards those facing crises.

Across the country, this mission has been expressed in countless ways — through community-led initiatives, charitable drives, and coordinated humanitarian operations, from medical teams and logistical hubs to volunteer-led campaigns and diplomatic engagement, taking place across all seven Emirates.

That commitment has been most visible on the frontlines of medical care. In Gaza and its surroundings, UAE field hospitals and medical teams have operated under extreme conditions, providing emergency treatment amid continuous bombardment and a healthcare system pushed to collapse. Doctors and nurses worked through long shifts, carrying out life-saving surgeries, treating severe burns and trauma, and caring for children wounded by the conflict. 

Beyond Gaza, the UAE Floating Hospital stationed at Al Arish port, less than an hour from the Gaza-Egypt border, has served as a critical lifeline, delivering advanced medical care to injured Palestinians evacuated from the Strip. Equipped in UAE ports and staffed by multidisciplinary Emirati teams, the floating hospital has treated hundreds of patients, offering not only medical support, but reassurance, dignity, and a sense of safety at a time when both were scarce.

“Since February 2024, we have been here at the front lines, providing advanced medical care that is different from what field hospitals inside Gaza can offer. This would not be possible without a highly qualified and experienced team from the UAE — including orthopaedic specialists, general surgeons, ICU specialists, anaesthesiologists, and a wide range of skilled supporting staff.”

- Dr Ahmed Mubarak, Director of the UAE Floating Hospital in Al Arish

As medical care continued at the frontlines and offshore, the spirit driving these efforts resonated just as strongly across the UAE. From one Emirate to another, people mobilised in practical, immediate ways to support those affected in Gaza.

Another powerful expression of this united national response took shape in Dubai, where thousands gathered to pack meals for those in need. When the call went out, organisers expected a few thousand volunteers. They planned for 2,000 hands on deck. Within days, however, something remarkable happened. More than 20,000 people registered to help, a human tide of compassion that spoke louder than any statistic. 

“We needed 2,000 volunteers, yet people rushed to take part… This is the true spirit of the sons and daughters of Zayed, and this is the deep affection the people of the UAE hold for the people of Palestine.”
- His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, noted that the shipment of over 10 million meals, alongside the UAE’s continuous support for Gaza, reflects an abiding national ethic that prioritized standing by those in need. He said:

“Once again, the UAE community has shown its remarkable values of solidarity and compassion through the overwhelming response to the charitable and humanitarian initiatives launched by our nation. This response speaks volumes about the deep-rooted generosity within our society and the profound solidarity our people feel for the Palestinians.”

Inside the large packing halls, a sense of purpose filled the space. Teenagers arrived before dawn, experienced volunteers worked with steady focus, and families stood side by side, united by a shared commitment to humanity. 

For 16-year-old Iman Kurdi, the moment was deeply personal: “I always attend volunteering events. When it is for Gaza, I don’t miss it… It feels amazing to know that we have put our efforts into helping people in Gaza.”

These efforts were not isolated moments of goodwill. They are part of a broader, coordinated response feeding directly into Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, a multi-channel lifeline delivering food, medicine, clean water, and shelter materials to families across Gaza. Whether through the work of the Emirates Red Crescent, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Humanitarian, or other UAE foundations, the response reflected a unified national effort anchored in compassion and operational excellence. Through air, land, and sea corridors, supplies moved steadily, coordinated with multilateral partners such as the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, and UNICEF to ensure assistance reached those most in need.

The momentum of this collective effort continued, guided by a shared sense of responsibility and reinforced through the UAE’s engagement with global partners—including China, Bahrain, the European Commission, and Cyprus—to improve humanitarian access, support ceasefire efforts, and sustain delivery routes into Gaza.

At Khalifa Port, cranes lifted pallets of relief supplies as the 11th Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian Ship prepared to depart for Gaza. Its cargo included food and medical supplies, alongside meals packed by tens of thousands of volunteers, each box carrying the care and solidarity of people thousands of kilometres away.

For student volunteer Hessa Turki, participating was a chance to turn compassion into action: “The worst thing is when you feel powerless, but this initiative gave us the chance to help Gazans.”

This was humanitarian assistance in motion: from warehouses and packing halls to the vessels that would carry it, and finally to the shores of Gaza, where every parcel would matter.

Behind each convoy and shipment is a human story. A mother receiving emergency medical care for her child. A family who can prepare a meal together for the first time in days. A young volunteer in Gaza unloading shipments alongside UAE partners, knowing that even in crisis, solidarity endures.

The UAE’s support to Gaza is measured by the meaningful improvements these interventions create in people’s daily lives. Through long-standing aid, diplomatic engagement, and strong partnerships, the UAE continues to work towards a future where humanitarian assistance serves as a bridge towards stability, dignity, and lasting peace, not a temporary relief.