‘Even a ripe tomato is a blessing’ – Injured Gazans Seeking Treatment In UAE Speak Of Relief

Esmat Abu Aqlan and her husband were part of a group of sick and injured Palestinians and their relatives flown out of Egypt’s Al Arish military airport to get treatment in the UAE, a nation that has conducted six such flights so far.

Following 10 weeks of relentless violence, the Gazan looked pale and exhausted when she boarded the Emirati flight, but said she was happy that her husband – a prostate cancer patient – is set to receive the urgent treatment he is in need of.

UAE To Bring In 2,000 Gazans In Need Of Treatment

Ms Abu Aqlan had only learnt their names were on the list of people approved for evaporation the night before. The two immediately borrowed clothes for the cold season from their relatives and prepared a small bag to carry documents and other essential items.

The flight from Al Arish had to stop over in the Egyptian capital of Cairo for transit. The two Palestinians had come from Nuseirat in Gaza, where they had resided with relatives after being displaced roughly ten times, Ms Abu Aqlan explained.

One doctor said the patient had low sodium levels, was dehydrated and “just needed to sleep”, The National reported. Ms Abu Aqlan is happy her husband is set to receive the attention he needs, but she misses her three children back home.

“Today on board we have about 130 passengers, most of whom are patients,” said Maha Barakat, Assistant Manager of Foreign Affairs for Health. The flight landing on Tuesday is part of the UAE’s mission to bring in 1,000 children and 1,000 patients with cancer.

‘Never Seen Anything Like The Ongoing War Before’

Meanwhile, Laila Abdelrahman is hoping for a new lease on life in the UAE for her amputee son, but said she does not know if she will see her children when she returns. 14-year-old Malik’s left arm had to be amputated after he sustained injuries in an air strike.

Read More: Could Israel’s Shooting Of 3 Hostages Give The Gaza War A New Direction?

Ms Abdelrahman said she has never seen anything like the ongoing war before, despite living through several. The conflict that erupted on October 7 has already claimed about 20,000 Gazan lives, amid the medical sector in the enclave almost completely destroyed.