Nine new patients from the Gaza Strip arrived Thursday at a floating hospital docked in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, a facility providing a lifeline to Palestinians caught up in conflict. This persistent need for trauma care highlights the ongoing instability driven by regional hostilities.
The Al Arish hospital, established in February 2024, now in its third year of operation, specifically addresses the medical needs arising from the conflict zone. Dedicated medical and nursing teams immediately carried out examinations and assessments upon the patients' arrival. They developed precise treatment plans for each individual case. This hospital is equipped with advanced surgical and intensive care units. It also features a comprehensive radiology department and state-of-the-art laboratories. The facility provides 100 beds for patients. Another 100 beds are available for accompanying relatives, acknowledging the importance of family support during crisis. Officials announced in November 2025, a figure reported last year, that medics had conducted over 5,000 operations at this critical facility.
Global Humanitarian Reach
Meanwhile, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, inspected a separate floating hospital at Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. This repurposed vessel is preparing to support humanitarian relief efforts around the world. The hospital boasts 100 beds. It also contains modern operating theatres. These theatres are equipped to carry out emergency, general, orthopaedic, and laparoscopic surgeries, covering a wide range of critical medical needs.
Advanced Trauma Capabilities for Crisis Zones
Classified as a Level III Trauma Hospital, this mobile centre at sea includes 10 intensive care beds. Another 18 beds are specifically dedicated to treating accident and trauma cases, emphasizing its focus on severe injuries. Sheikh Mansour reviewed the hospital's facilities in detail. He also assessed its readiness to deliver specialized health care in areas struck by disasters and crises. He received a briefing on its integrated smart infrastructure. This infrastructure includes advanced systems for the production and distribution of medical gases. A freshwater purification and production plant is also onboard. A wastewater treatment plant ensures self-sufficiency. A smart nurse call system enhances patient care. The comprehensive tour encompassed the emergency department, diagnostic imaging unit, laboratories, outpatient clinics, pharmacy, and inpatient wards. Sheikh Mansour emphasized the UAE's commitment to assisting communities in need across the globe. He highlighted the development of rapid response health hubs. The floating hospital, he stated, demonstrated the country's ability to harness advanced technologies. This capability, he added, strengthens its humanitarian mission. Such advanced platforms are crucial for addressing both natural disasters and the complex, man-made conflicts that generate significant trauma and displacement.