Gazans prepare to return home from Abu Dhabi's Emirates Humanitarian City

Dozens of Gazans who have been receiving medical treatment at Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi are set to return to their homeland. The UAE-run humanitarian centre has been a safe haven for thousands of Palestinians since 2023, amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. One such patient, 59-year-old Ibtisam Salout, is preparing to journey back to Gaza after three years in the UAE.

A mother of nine and grandmother of 45, Ms Salout is eager to reunite with her loved ones. She plans to gather them all and hold them tightly upon her return. "The first thing I’ll do is gather them all and hold them tight," she says. Ms Salout had been battling breast cancer, which was discovered in her lymph nodes after her treatment was interrupted following October 7 attacks.

The UAE provided crucial medical care and support to 1,000 cancer patients and 1,000 injured children from Gaza. Despite having an escort, Ms Salout chose to return on her own, with her husband offering to wait for her and care for their children. The UAE's Humanitarian City continues to serve as a refuge for many Gazans, with nearly 3,000 still undergoing treatment.

Among the patients are those who have married and had children while residing at the complex. Younger children are in school, while adult Gazans attend online universities. Celebrations, such as births, birthdays, and graduations, are common at the facility. Ms Salout emphasizes the bittersweet nature of her departure, expressing pride in the support she received and expressing her desire for her family to taste her signature dishes.