Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed thanks Elon Musk for supporting UAE’s field hospital in Gaza

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to X to share the news of Starlink being active at the UAE’s field hospital in Gaza. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked him for his support.

The Emirati field hospital in Rafah, which began functioning in December 2023, focuses on treating injured individuals, particularly children, women, and those with chronic illnesses. Coordination is ongoing with medical sector officials in Gaza to provide comprehensive medical care to those in need.

As of May, the hospital has treated 20,686 cases and conducted 1,752 surgical operations, according to WAM. The hospital staff has also actively donated blood to injured Palestinian patients, highlighting their dedication to supporting patient care.

Additionally, a floating hospital was also established off the shores of the Egyptian city of Al-Arish.

The activation of Starlink at the UAE field hospital in Rafah comes after extensive negotiations.

Since the start of the war, Gaza has faced an internet blackout by Israel. Elon Musk had previously stated that he would only provide satellite internet service to "internationally recognized" humanitarian aid groups, meaning that many other individuals and groups in Gaza may still lack access.

The high-speed internet provided by Starlink will enable potentially life-saving medical consultations via real-time video calls, as highlighted by the UAE foreign ministry in February.

Elon Musk even responded saying لا شكر على واجب which can be roughly translated to “don’t mention it”.

Both hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain steadfast in delivering vital medical services to residents despite significant challenges. Established under “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” the UAE field hospitals prioritizes serving the most vulnerable, including children, women, and those with chronic diseases.

The medical team has performed several intense procedures, such as a metal implant removal and an endoscopy on an inflamed wound for a patient suffering from fractures, which helped save his limbs from amputation, among many others.