The UAE is set to receive 1,000 Palestinian children and their families from Gaza for medical care. This move follows the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, marking a pivotal step in addressing the ongoing crisis.
Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN, announced that preparations are underway and the first group of children is expected to arrive within a week. This effort aligns with the directive of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to provide medical treatment to injured Palestinian children at Emirati hospitals.
The recently adopted UN resolution emphasizes the need for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza. It seeks to facilitate the establishment of a UAE-funded emergency field hospital in the region. The UAE has already transported medical equipment and supplies to Al Arish Airport in Egypt, preparing to set up a 150-bed hospital in Gaza.
Nusseibeh highlighted the resolution’s significance, noting it is the first on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2016. She emphasized that while it’s a crucial step, more action is needed to address the wider implications of the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Addressing the Security Council, Nusseibeh condemned the recent attack on Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. She stressed that hospitals, as protected spaces under international law, must not be targeted and called for Israel to ensure safe and unrestricted humanitarian access.
The envoy also spoke about the violence in the West Bank, where almost 200 Palestinians have lost their lives in recent weeks. She urged Israel to hold those responsible for these attacks accountable and called for a renewed focus on the Two-State solution, warning that it’s at risk of becoming unattainable.
Nusseibeh affirmed Israel’s right to security but cautioned that lasting peace cannot be achieved without recognizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. She warned against policies that neglect this fundamental right, suggesting they are bound to fail.