UAE reaffirms commitment to supporting Palestinians, UN demands Gaza ceasefire in big move

The UAE has expressed strong support for the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution that demands for the first time “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. It comes as the US abstained from the vote instead of rejecting it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the US of stepping back from a “principled position” by letting the prominent yet controversial vote to pass despite the absence of conditions concerning the release of hostages by Hamas.

Official statements suggest the US abstained because the UN resolution did not condemn Hamas militants and that officials chose not to veto the proposal as “it does fairly reflect our view that a ceasefire and the release of hostages come together.”

UAE aid to Gaza gets major boost during Ramadan 2024

1. UAE and Jordan carry out joint airdrop of food aid

The Emirates has substantially increased humanitarian aid to Gaza during Ramadan. On March 25, the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence said the UAE Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Air Force carried out a joint airdrop of food aid into the strip.

The airdrop delivered 22 tonnes of relief supplies. It is part of the “Chivalrous Knight 3” initiative meant to bolster assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. The joint airdrop strongly supports the objective of helping people in the inaccessible isolated areas of the territory.

2. UAE and Egypt carry out 13th airdrop of aid

In relation to the “Birds of Goodness” humanitarian operation, the UAE Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force recently carried out the 13th airdrop of aid in the northern Gaza Strip. It is part of the “Gallant Knight 3” operation, launched in the earlier phase of the conflict.

3. Third UAE aid ship sets sail for Gaza

In addition, on March 23, the third UAE aid ship carrying 4,630 tonnes of supplies set sail for the Egyptian city of Al Arish, destined for Gaza, as part of Gallant Knight 3. The ship is transporting food, shelter materials, medical aid and storage tanks.

4. Other notable contributions under Gallant Knight 3

The humanitarian operation is also linked to a number of other initiatives launched by the UAE, including the establishment of field hospitals, desalination plants and automatic bakeries. Flour has been provided to existing bakeries in Gaza.

5. Maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza

On March 24, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the prominent role played by Cyprus to deliver aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip through the maritime corridor between Cyprus and the Palestinian enclave, launched from the port of Larnaca.

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed the UAE’s commitment to mobilising support for the corridor initiative and backing Cyprus and all regional and international partners to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza at a sufficient, sustainable and unimpeded pace.

6. First maritime delivery of food aid to Gaza

Furthermore, the UAE and the World Central Kitchen recently announced they successfully completed the delivery of food aid to Gaza by sea, marking the first maritime delivery of food aid to the territory since October 2023.

The delivery carried almost 200 tonnes of rice, flour and proteins. Till March 19, the UAE had already delivered 21,000 tonnes of urgent supplies to Gaza, including food, water and medical supplies, dispatched through 216 flights, 10 airdrops, 964 trucks and 2 ships.