Abu Dhabi: UAE has evacuated 252 individuals from the Gaza Strip as part of an urgent humanitarian initiative. This group included 97 critically ill patients, such as cancer patients requiring immediate treatment, along with 155 family members, many of whom were children.
The evacuation, organized by World Health Organization (WHO} in collaboration with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), transported these individuals to Abu Dhabi from Ramon airport in Israel, via Karam Abu Salam crossing, to receive vital medical treatment.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said that, “The new initiative to evacuate injured and sick Palestinians reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to support the Palestinians during the disastrous conditions witnessed in the Strip. We will continue to closely work with our international partners and the United Nations to lead and intensify efforts aiming to alleviate this humanitarian catastrophe.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, said that, “We once again thank the UAE for its support of this evacuation of the sick and wounded from the Gaza Strip to receive the urgent care they need. We continue to hope that this and other initiatives will show what is possible and make more evacuations happen for more people. And once again, the World Health Organisation calls for a ceasefire.”
This marks the second such evacuation flight facilitated by the UAE, reflecting its continued commitment to aiding Palestinians amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UAE has played a significant role in supporting Gaza by providing medical treatment, as well as delivering over 40,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and other aid as part of the “Bird of Goodness” campaign.
The evacuation is part of a broader effort by the UAE to respond to the dire situation in Gaza, having previously evacuated over 1,655 patients and family members.