Gallant Knight 3: UAE ramps up aid to Gaza as holy month of Ramadan nears

The UAE is significantly stepping up its humanitarian aid operation in the Gaza Strip ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The Gulf state is expected to start celebrating Ramadan either from February 28 or March 1, depending on moon sightings.

Scores of cargo planes are flying in hundreds of tonnes of essential food supplies to the Palestinian territory. The airlift comes after dozens of trucks transported a broad range of aid from the UAE, as per official media reports.

UAE transporting Ramadan supplies as part of Gallant Knight 3

Crossing from Egypt into Gaza, 73 trucks carried more than 1,185 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including food, shelter and other essential supplies. The deadly conflict has displaced 90% of the population of Gaza.

Since a Gaza ceasefire agreement came into force last month, aid has increased into the territory. The deal has also facilitated multiple transfers of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in detention in Israel.

On Friday, the International Organisation for Migration noted in a statement that around 90% of homes in the Gaza Strip are destroyed. The agency emphasized that it is intensifying efforts to enhance emergency shelter assistance in the territory.

Gaza crisis: UAE stressing the need for diplomatic methods

On Friday, the UAE transported 257 tonnes of Ramadan food supplies, destined for Gaza as part of its Operation Gallant Knight 3. The UAE has already supplied more than 37,300 tonnes of aid to the Palestinian people as part of the operation.

The UAE is one of the first countries to start supplying aid to Gaza as the brutal conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. The Gulf state has been continuously stressing the need for diplomatic methods to bring an end to the fighting once and for all.