Photo: An Emirati aid ship arrives at the port of El-Arish on February 17, carrying 4,544 tons of humanitarian supplies [emiratesrc/Twitter]
By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
In a significant humanitarian effort, a floating hospital provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the port of Al-Arish in eastern Egypt has begun treating individuals injured in the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. The UAE, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Ports Group, established this facility to extend support to Gaza residents facing the impact of the conflict.
The official Emirates News Agency reported on Sunday that the Emirati floating hospital initiated its treatment services, offering crucial medical support to the Palestinian population affected by the Israeli war since October 7. The hospital received injured individuals from Gaza, addressing cases with injuries and fractures of varying severities.
The agency conveyed that the hospital conducted its inaugural surgical operation on a 20-year-old Palestinian man who sustained gunshot and shrapnel injuries, resulting in shoulder dislocation, fractures, and nerve damage in his arm.
The floating hospital boasts a 100-member medical and administrative team with diverse specialties, providing a capacity of 100 beds. It is equipped with operating rooms, intensive care units, radiology, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and medical warehouses.
Falah Al-Mahmoud, the hospital’s director, emphasized the role of the facility in strengthening the medical support system for the people of Gaza and alleviating their challenging circumstances. Al-Mahmoud highlighted that the hospital’s features, including a helipad and a seaboat, enhance emergency response capabilities for cases requiring swift medical intervention.
Additionally, the floating hospital complements the Emirati field hospital in Gaza, which commenced operations on December 3, 2023, with a capacity of 200 beds and a diverse medical staff consisting of 83 volunteers from 21 nationalities.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the Gaza field hospital has conducted over 764 major and minor surgical operations, addressing more than 6,620 cases requiring medical intervention in recent months.
These efforts align with the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, emphasizing the commitment to providing comprehensive support and assistance to the residents of the Gaza Strip. The initiative is part of Operation Gallant Knight 3, launched on November 5, 2023. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll, with tens of thousands of victims, primarily children and women, as documented by Palestinian and United Nations data. This dire situation has led Israel to face charges of genocide before the International Court of Justice.