UAE sends food aid to Gaza amid continued humanitarian crisis

The UAE has sent aid to a camp in the Gaza Strip under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, an initiative aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians in the enclave.

The UAE in late May had reached a deal with Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, which is expected to address the food needs of around 15,000 people in Gaza.

Last week, a UAE aid ship carrying 2,100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies docked at Israel’s Port of Ashdod before it was transferred into Gaza via 123 trucks. On June 5, an UAE aid convoy that included trucks carrying 1,039 tonnes of food supplies and flour had entered Gaza.

The UAE's contributions has accounted for 42 per cent of the total humanitarian aid provided to the Strip between October 2023 and November 2024, amounting to $828 million.  

Israel allows aid through US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a newly established initiative that has been marked with controversy and violence at aid distribution centres. 

At least 397 Palestinian aid seekers have been killed and 3,000 others have been wounded since late May, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Earlier, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the UAE’s support for the people of Palestine and its commitment to helping meet their humanitarian needs.