In the bustling Egyptian port of Al-Arish, a repurposed vessel serves as a beacon of survival. The UAE Floating Hospital, a cornerstone of Operation Gallant Knight 3, has just received its fifth batch of medical experts from Indonesia.
This new cohort of doctors and nurses is not just adding numbers; they are bringing specialized skills in orthopedics, general surgery, anesthesia, internal medicine, and radiology.
UAE's Operation Gallant Knight 3
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched one of its most important humanitarian missions in recent years, Operation Gallant Knight 3, to bring medical assistance and hope to Palestinians wounded in the Gaza conflict. At the heart of this initiative is a remarkable floating hospital anchored off the Egyptian coast in Al-Arish, where Emirati and Indonesian medical teams are working together to treat patients evacuated from the Gaza Strip.
This mission reflects the UAE’s deep commitment to humanitarian relief under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and highlights strong international cooperation, particularly with Indonesia, to make advanced medical care available in a highly challenging crisis environment.
UAE floating hospital at Al-Arish
The UAE’s floating hospital began its operations on February 23, 2024, as a core part of Operation Gallant Knight 3, precisely to meet the urgent medical needs of patients arriving from war-torn Gaza. It is more than a temporary clinic, it is a fully equipped medical facility at sea.
This floating medical centre offers:
- 100 beds for patients and 100 for companions
- Operating rooms and intensive care units
- Radiology and laboratory departments
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services
Since opening, the hospital teams have performed over 5,200 surgical procedures, delivered more than 6,500 physiotherapy sessions, and fitted 26 prosthetic limbs, all aimed at helping patients recover and regain mobility.
The facility also provides social and psychological support, including programmes for children and recreational activities, showing that care goes beyond physical healing to restoring confidence and hope.
Indonesia joins the UAE
A major development in this humanitarian effort has been the arrival of a fifth batch of Indonesian medical professionals to the floating hospital. This team brings specialists in orthopaedics, surgery, anaesthesia, internal medicine, and radiology. Working alongside their Emirati colleagues, they broaden the range of specialised care available to patients and strengthen the hospital’s ability to handle complex and critical medical cases.
Their presence underscores the strong cooperation between the UAE and Indonesia, and illustrates how humanitarian aid can become a platform for global solidarity and joint action in the face of suffering. It also reflects both nations’ shared commitment to easing the hardships faced by Palestinians.
Thousands of Gazans treated
Operation Gallant Knight 3 has delivered tangible impact since its launch. The floating hospital alone has provided more than 12,000 medical services to injured Palestinians and others affected by the conflict, a testament to its high operational pace and dedication.
Across the broader initiative, the UAE has helped treat tens of thousands of Gazan patients, making it one of the most significant contributors to medical relief efforts for the region. In 2025 alone, UAE humanitarian efforts, including field hospitals, floating clinics, medical evacuations, and aid deliveries, have supported over 75,000 patients as part of its Gaza assistance campaign.
In addition to medical care, the UAE has sent thousands of aid convoys, medical supplies, food, and essentials into Gaza through land, air, and sea under the same humanitarian operation.
Operation Gallant Knight 3 stands as a symbol of how the UAE uses its resources and leadership to bring world-class medical care to people in dire need. The floating hospital’s presence off the coast of Al-Arish is a powerful example of innovative humanitarian delivery, combining maritime strategy with frontline care.
The cooperation with Indonesian medical teams adds a deeper international dimension, showing that aid missions can build partnerships that strengthen both medical impact and global solidarity. Together, teams from the UAE and Indonesia are giving many Gazans a renewed chance at life and recovery, one patient at a time.
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