UAE begins distribution of 4,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza

ABU DHABI/GAZA – The United Arab Emirates has begun distributing the first tranche of aid from the relief vessel Saqr, in what officials described as a renewed demonstration of the country’s commitment to supporting civilians in the Gaza Strip amid a protracted humanitarian crisis.

The delivery forms part of Operation “Chivalrous Knight 3”, the UAE’s flagship relief initiative for Gaza, launched in response to the devastating conflict that has ravaged the enclave over the past two years.

According to the state news agency WAM, the first trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies arrived in northern Gaza carrying parcels designated for families and displaced people. Distribution is being conducted under what officials described as a carefully coordinated mechanism to ensure assistance reaches intended beneficiaries.

The Saqr shipment comprises approximately 4,000 tonnes of foodstuffs, shelter materials, winter clothing, basic necessities, medicines and medical equipment. The aid is intended to provide critical support to the most vulnerable groups, particularly children, women and the elderly, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

The timing of the shipment is seen as significant, coming amid acute shortages of essential goods and mounting hardship across the Strip. Aid flows have been inconsistent, and infrastructure damage has severely limited access to food, healthcare and basic services.

Officials said the initiative is part of a sustained relief strategy rather than a one-off intervention. The UAE humanitarian team continues daily efforts to reach displaced families across different parts of Gaza, underscoring what Abu Dhabi describes as a long-term commitment to humanitarian engagement.

In parallel, Operation “Chivalrous Knight 3” has continued to dispatch land convoys into Gaza. Convoy number 301 recently entered the territory carrying more than 290 tonnes of food parcels and relief supplies.

To date, the operation has sent 301 convoys comprising more than 10,000 trucks and delivering over 122,000 tonnes of aid, according to Emirati figures. Officials say the preparation and movement of convoys are based on field assessments and closely monitored to ensure swift and secure delivery.

The initiative reflects a broader Emirati humanitarian policy that places emergency response at the centre of its foreign engagement. The approach dates back to the era of the UAE’s founding president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and has continued under the current president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has prioritised humanitarian diplomacy as a pillar of the country’s international outreach.

The Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Charity Foundation played a key role in preparing the aid parcels, highlighting coordination between government bodies and charitable institutions within the UAE’s humanitarian framework.

Observers say the UAE has positioned itself among the leading global donors in crisis zones, not only in terms of financial scale but also speed of response and logistical capacity. In Gaza, food, medical and shelter assistance have been integrated into what officials describe as a comprehensive plan aimed at alleviating suffering and improving living conditions directly on the ground.

While the conflict has left widespread destruction of infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods across Gaza, Emirati officials say the sustained flow of assistance is designed to provide tangible relief and restore a measure of stability for affected families.

As humanitarian challenges persist, the distribution of supplies from the Saqr vessel represents both an immediate lifeline and part of a broader, continuing effort to deliver organised and long-term support to civilians in one of the region’s most acute crises.