The General Women’s Union, chaired by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, has played a pivotal role in rallying Emirati women to contribute to Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. According to the Emirates News Agency, the operation was launched on November 5, 2023 under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. Contributions from women have included organizing donation drives, preparing aid packages and supporting medical initiatives within the broader effort. The union’s longstanding focus on community welfare has helped channel female-led initiatives into the sustained relief campaign.
Over the course of the operation, the UAE has provided humanitarian assistance valued at more than $3.89 billion, a WAM report on the 1,000-day milestone indicated. The aid, totaling over 126,000 tonnes, has been delivered via more than 770 flights, 25 ships and over 13,000 trucks. These logistics have ensured sustained support despite challenges on the ground in Gaza. The scale of the delivery underscores the operation’s integrated framework of emergency relief, healthcare and rehabilitation programmes.
Healthcare has been a central focus, with the UAE field hospital in Gaza and the floating hospital in Al Arish treating more than 230,000 patients, WAM figures show. The facilities have conducted surgeries and provided rehabilitation services. Emirati women have been involved in related programs such as the Step of Hope initiative that has fitted prosthetic limbs for 64 Palestinian amputees since its launch. The medical pillar has strengthened local capacity while delivering specialised care to those affected by the conflict.
The Step of Hope programme, supported by six UAE humanitarian organisations including the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, aims to rehabilitate amputees through medical assessments, prosthetic fitting and physiotherapy, according to WAM. Treatment plans are tailored to each beneficiary to help them regain mobility and resume daily activities. This reflects the operation’s approach that combines immediate relief with longer-term recovery support for vulnerable groups. Continuous medical follow-up remains a key element of the rehabilitation process.
Additional initiatives under the operation have included the Olive Children programme for orphans and the Thoub Al-Farah wedding sponsorship for Gazan couples, both drawing on community participation including from Emirati women. In one recent effort five aid convoys delivered 800 tonnes of shelter materials, food supplies and medical aid, Gulf News reported. The operation continues to dispatch regular convoys from the logistics centre in Al Arish to meet evolving needs on the ground.
Mohammed Al Marri, head of the Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 committee, has overseen many of these efforts, WAM reports have stated. The operation integrates contributions from various national entities and charitable organizations to maintain a steady flow of assistance. As of late August 2026 the mission persists in its goal of alleviating humanitarian suffering through coordinated air, sea and land bridges.
