UAE marks three years of Operation Gallant Knight 3 delivering aid to Gaza

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has commemorated the three-year anniversary of Operation Gallant Knight 3, its most significant humanitarian mission to the Gaza Strip. Launched on November 5, 2023, under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed, the operation has evolved from an emergency relief effort into a comprehensive humanitarian system.

Since its inception, the UAE's contribution to Operation Gallant Knight 3 has accounted for approximately 46% of all international humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. This includes the delivery of over 136,000 tonnes of aid valued at $4.16 billion. The mission has mobilized an impressive array of logistics assets, with 792 aircraft, 26 ships, and 14,711 lorries utilized to deliver aid via land, air, and sea routes.

A notable aspect of the operation is the implementation of the Birds of Goodness initiative, which has conducted 81 airdrop missions. These efforts have ensured that assistance reaches communities where ground access is challenging. In the healthcare sector, the operation has treated over 294,000 individuals through its medical facilities, which consist of equipped health centres, field hospitals, and medical convoys.

These assets, supplied in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, have been strategically deployed in Gaza to address critical medical needs.

The operation's food security efforts have been bolstered through the establishment of 40 community kitchens. These kitchens produce approximately eight million meals annually, complemented by support for around 27 bakeries. This bakery network is capable of producing up to 1.5 million bread bundles each year, significantly enhancing the food supply for Gaza's population.

Looking ahead, Operation Gallant Knight 3 continues to run seasonal initiatives, such as the Winter Clothing campaign. This initiative aims to provide clothing, blankets, and heating supplies to one million beneficiaries in Gaza. Aid convoys are meticulously prepared at the UAE's humanitarian logistics centre in Al Arish, Egypt. Here, shipments are received, sorted, and then forwarded to Gaza, reflecting the UAE's steadfast commitment to humanitarian solidarity and long-term support for the Palestinian people.