UAE food aid reaches Gaza via Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge

UAE aid enters Gaza via Rafah crossing

Food aid from the United Arab Emirates has entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing as part of a plan to deliver more than 10 million meals to Gazans in need.

Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge initiative

The delivery was made under the Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge initiative, which is named after Sheikh Ahmed, the brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who died on September 21. The initiative was launched to honour Sheikh Ahmed’s generosity and philanthropic work.

Logistics and broader relief efforts

The aid was transported from Al Maktoum International Airport to the Gallant Knight 3 team operating from the UAE Humanitarian Aid Logistics Centre in the Egyptian city of Al Arish. The team prepared, loaded and moved the supplies to the Rafah crossing before they were taken into Gaza. This operation forms part of broader, sustained efforts to support Palestinian civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis in the territory. The target of 10 million meals reflects the scale of need and the UAE’s continued commitment to addressing it through organised, large‑scale relief operations.

Continuing UAE assistance and global impact

The Ahmed bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge is one of several continuing UAE‑led initiatives directly assisting Gaza residents. Since the launch of Operation Gallant Knight 3, the UAE has provided more than $4 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, accounting for 46 per cent of global humanitarian aid directed to the enclave since 2023. That assistance has included 130,708 tonnes of relief, medical and food supplies delivered by 796 aircraft, 25 ships and 14,483 lorries. By channelling aid through established logistics networks and coordinating with Egyptian authorities at the Rafah crossing, the operation aims to ensure supplies reach those most in need in a structured and efficient manner. Meanwhile, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the region’s largest humanitarian and community development foundation, recorded expenditure of more than Dh2.3 billion in 2025, positively impacting approximately 165 million beneficiaries across 122 countries. Its humanitarian aid and relief programmes alone exceeded Dh625 million in expenditure, benefiting more than 53 million people worldwide.