UAE floating hospital expands care for Gaza patients

UAE’s floating hospital anchored off Al Arish on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast has admitted 10 additional patients evacuated from the Gaza Strip over the past three days, according to officials involved in the humanitarian operation. The patients, including children and adults, were transferred through coordinated medical corridors and assessed on arrival for injuries and complex health conditions linked to the prolonged conflict.

Medical teams said the new admissions include trauma cases requiring surgical intervention, patients needing post-operative care, and others suffering from chronic illnesses that deteriorated amid disruptions to Gaza’s healthcare system. Several patients were accompanied by family members, who are being provided temporary accommodation and support as treatment continues.

UAE floating hospital widens Gaza care reach, officials said, underlining that the facility is operating at a high level of readiness as evacuations continue in phases. The ship-based hospital, deployed as part of the federation’s humanitarian response, is equipped with operating theatres, intensive care beds, diagnostic imaging units and specialised departments covering orthopaedics, general surgery, paediatrics and internal medicine. Multidisciplinary teams drawn from public and private health institutions across the UAE are rotating through the mission.

Doctors involved in the latest intake said triage was conducted immediately upon arrival in Al Arish, with patients prioritised based on severity. “Some cases involve blast-related injuries that require careful follow-up, while others involve infections and untreated chronic diseases aggravated by shortages of medicines and electricity,” one clinician familiar with the operation said. Stabilised patients are expected to undergo staged treatment plans, with rehabilitation support arranged as needed.

The floating hospital forms part of a broader medical evacuation and aid framework coordinated with Egyptian authorities. Al Arish has become a critical hub for humanitarian logistics linked to Gaza, with medical screening points, ambulance transfers and coordination centres facilitating the movement of patients to hospitals and relief facilities. Officials said the latest group was transported under security and medical supervision to ensure continuity of care.

Since its deployment, the floating hospital has treated a growing number of patients from Gaza, reflecting sustained demand for specialised care that is difficult to access inside the enclave. Health workers noted that many arrivals present with conditions that would normally be manageable but have become life-threatening after months of limited access to hospitals, diagnostics and medicines.

Beyond inpatient treatment, the facility is also supporting outpatient consultations and follow-up care, with coordination mechanisms in place to transfer patients to onshore hospitals in Egypt or to other destinations if advanced treatment is required. Authorities said such decisions are taken on clinical grounds and in consultation with families.

The humanitarian mission sits alongside broader UAE relief efforts, including the delivery of medical supplies, food aid and shelter materials to Gaza and neighbouring areas affected by the conflict. Officials said the medical component remains a priority as civilian casualties and health system strain persist.

Health policy specialists observing the operation say floating hospitals offer flexibility in crisis settings where land-based infrastructure is overwhelmed or inaccessible. By positioning advanced care close to evacuation points, such facilities can reduce transfer times and improve survival rates, particularly for trauma and surgical cases. The Al Arish deployment is being cited as an example of how maritime medical platforms can complement conventional humanitarian responses.

For Egyptian authorities, the cooperation has eased pressure on local hospitals in North Sinai, which have faced a steady flow of injured civilians requiring urgent care. Coordination teams continue to manage patient flow to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that critical cases receive timely treatment.

Officials overseeing the mission said additional admissions are expected as evacuation channels remain open, subject to security conditions and medical clearances. Medical teams have been reinforced to maintain round-the-clock operations, and supplies are being replenished to match patient needs.