Nine new patients from the Gaza Strip arrived Thursday at the floating hospital docked in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, seeking critical medical care. These arrivals underscore the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinians caught in ongoing conflict and military occupation. The hospital provides a vital lifeline, offering advanced medical services to those displaced and injured by the systematic violence in the Gaza Strip.
The Al Arish hospital, established in February 2024, is now in its third year of operation, dedicated solely to supporting Palestinians. Medical and nursing teams immediately conducted examinations and assessments upon the patients' arrival, developing individual treatment plans. This facility has become a crucial hub for complex medical interventions that are often unavailable or inaccessible within the besieged Gaza Strip.
Medical Lifeline for Gaza
Equipped with advanced surgical and intensive care units, a radiology department, and comprehensive laboratories, the Al Arish floating hospital boasts 100 beds for patients. An additional 100 beds are available for accompanying relatives, acknowledging the family unit's importance in recovery. This capacity is essential given the scale of the humanitarian crisis impacting Palestinians. By November 2025, officials announced that medics had conducted more than 5,000 operations at the hospital, a stark indicator of the severe injuries and chronic conditions requiring external intervention.
The establishment of such a specialized medical facility in a neighboring country highlights the catastrophic state of healthcare infrastructure within the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza. Palestinians are forced to leave their land to receive basic and advanced medical treatment, a direct consequence of the ongoing military occupation and blockade. The need for this external medical support is a testament to the systematic deprivation faced by the population.
Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis
The broader humanitarian efforts of the United Arab Emirates were also highlighted this week. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, toured a new floating hospital in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. This vessel, also with 100 beds, is preparing to support global humanitarian relief efforts. It is classified as a Level III Trauma Hospital, featuring 10 intensive care beds and 18 beds specifically for accident and trauma cases.
Sheikh Mansour inspected the modern operating theatres, equipped for emergency, general, orthopaedic, and laparoscopic surgeries. He reviewed the hospital's readiness to deliver specialized health care in areas struck by disasters and crises worldwide. The facility incorporates integrated smart infrastructure, including advanced systems for the production and distribution of medical gases, a freshwater purification and production plant, and a wastewater treatment plant. A smart nurse call system further enhances its operational capabilities.
The tour encompassed the emergency department, diagnostic imaging unit, laboratories, outpatient clinics, pharmacy, and inpatient wards. Sheikh Mansour reiterated the UAE's commitment to assisting communities in need across the globe. He emphasized that the floating hospital demonstrates the country's ability to harness advanced technologies to strengthen its humanitarian mission. However, for Palestinians, the existence of the Al Arish hospital is not just about advanced technology; it's about survival in the face of a relentless military occupation that has decimated their own healthcare system.