U.A.E.'s Floating Hospital Commences Gaza Patient Assistance

In a bid to aid Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the United Arab Emirates has initiated medical support through a 100-bed floating hospital stationed at Al-Arish Port, Egypt.

The facility, an extension of the Sahara Hospital inaugurated in Gaza last December, is equipped with operating rooms, intensive care units, a radiology unit, laboratory, and pharmacy.

Manned by a team of 100 medical and administrative professionals, the floating hospital covers various specialties including anesthesia, general surgery, orthopedics, and emergency medicine. It includes provisions for emergency interventions and critical cases, boasting a helicopter pad and a marine boat.

Earlier, the Philippines sent a similar hospital ship carrying humanitarian assistance. The provided aid includes food, blankets, clothes, baby equipment, women's clothing, milk, field tents, cleaning supplies, mineral water, and religious equipment to Gaza.

More than 29,000 casualties have been reported in Gaza since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023. The UN reports 85% of Gaza's population in internal displacement, with severe shortages of essentials, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Despite an International Court of Justice interim ruling in January ordering Israel to cease its actions and ensure humanitarian aid to Gaza, hostilities persist, and humanitarian assistance remains insufficient.