A Singaporean delegation visited the UAE Floating Hospital in Al-Arish, where they toured its various departments and were briefed on the medical and humanitarian services provided to patients arriving from the Gaza Strip.
A high-level Singaporean delegation has lauded the UAE Floating Hospital in Al-Arish, Egypt, as a remarkable model of medical and humanitarian intervention following a recent visit to the facility. The delegation, led by Ambassador Justin Lee, toured the hospital’s various departments and met Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza, who are currently receiving treatment on board.
The Singaporean team was briefed by Emirati officials on the hospital’s operations and its vital role in alleviating the suffering of civilians affected by the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. Patients shared their personal stories of trauma and recovery, offering first-hand testimony to the compassionate and efficient care being delivered by Emirati medical teams.
Ambassador Lee expressed deep admiration for the hospital’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and professional staff. “We are truly impressed by the level of care provided and the efficiency with which this floating facility operates. The UAE has shown what timely and committed humanitarian action looks like,” he said.
The UAE Floating Hospital, launched on 23 February 2024, is one of the flagship components of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 — the Emirates’ comprehensive humanitarian campaign in support of the Palestinian people. Moored in the port of Al-Arish, near the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, the hospital provides a lifeline to thousands injured in the conflict.
Equipped with 100 beds for patients and an additional 100 for companions, the vessel houses fully functional operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), diagnostic labs, radiology suites, and a pharmacy. The hospital’s mobility and proximity to the border make it uniquely suited to provide emergency care and post-operative support.
Since its launch, the hospital has treated more than 10,000 Palestinian patients, many of them victims of bombing raids, ground assaults, or siege-induced shortages of medical care inside Gaza. Specialised units aboard the vessel offer trauma surgery, orthopaedic care, burn treatment, paediatrics, and psychological support services.
The Singapore delegation’s visit highlights growing international recognition of the UAE’s humanitarian leadership and the importance of coordinated global responses in regions facing medical emergencies.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lee underscored the significance of such efforts: “The UAE’s initiative demonstrates not only logistical innovation but also a profound sense of solidarity with people in need. It’s a model for how nations can extend compassion through action.”
Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 is the latest in a series of humanitarian efforts led by the UAE to assist the people of Gaza. In addition to the floating hospital, the operation includes field hospitals inside the Gaza Strip, airlifts of medical supplies, food parcels, and coordinated evacuations of critically injured civilians.
The UAE’s leadership has repeatedly emphasised the country’s commitment to upholding human dignity and responding rapidly to humanitarian crises. By combining advanced medical capabilities with diplomatic outreach, the Emirates has carved a distinctive role in international relief — a role that has won appreciation from both governments and beneficiaries alike.
