UAE Airlifts Winter Clothing Essentials to Support Gaza Families
The UAE sent another relief flight to Gaza carrying 2,000 winter clothing packages that will help 20,000 people survive the harsh winter conditions. This shipment marks the latest effort in the UAE's ongoing "Operation Gallant Knight 3" humanitarian campaign, which has already delivered 46% of all international aid to Gaza since the conflict began nearly two years ago.
The flight departed from Sharjah International Airport bound for Egypt's El Arish Airport, carrying 30 tons of winter supplies including men's, women's and children's clothing. The mission was organized by the Al-Ihsan Charitable Society under the direction of Sheikh Hamid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and supervised by Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Nuaimi, the society's director general.
This shipment is part of the "Winter Bridges for Gaza Relief" campaign, which focuses on providing essential winter supplies like food packages, clothing, and blankets to Palestinian families struggling through difficult conditions.
**The numbers tell the story of the UAE's massive humanitarian effort.** According to Hamoud Al-Afari, coordinator of UAE relief operations, the country has sent 683 aircraft and 770 shipments totaling 100,000 tons of aid worth over $2.8 billion through Operation Gallant Knight 3. Most of these supplies include food, shelter materials, medical supplies, and other basic necessities.
The winter clothing campaign alone has already reached 300,000 people in Gaza, with plans to help one million people total. This latest flight from Al-Ihsan Charitable Society represents their first contribution to the broader UAE relief effort.
**For context, the UAE's humanitarian response has been unprecedented in scale.** The country has maintained consistent aid deliveries even as other international efforts have faced logistical challenges. The use of Egypt's El Arish Airport as a transit point has become a crucial supply line for getting aid into Gaza.
Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Nuaimi emphasized that this work reflects the UAE's core values of helping those in need, regardless of where they are. He described humanitarian work as both a shared responsibility and a moral duty.
Ali Al-Shamsi from Al-Ihsan Charitable Society noted that this represents just the beginning of their involvement in the relief effort. The organization plans to continue supporting Palestinians through what officials describe as "exceptional and difficult circumstances."
The timing of this winter aid is critical, as Gaza residents face harsh weather conditions while dealing with ongoing displacement and damaged infrastructure. The UAE's systematic approach to humanitarian aid delivery has made it the largest single contributor to Gaza relief efforts among all nations.
Layla Al Mansoori