Palestinian children celebrate Eid at UAE field hospital in Gaza

Palestinian children danced and played on swings and slides set up by an Emirati team visiting them on Eid, bringing moments of joy amid the devastation in Gaza.

At the UAE field hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, families of patients and the wounded expressed their gratitude to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continued humanitarian support, according to WAM.

They also thanked the UAE government and people for their unwavering assistance, particularly through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, which has been instrumental in delivering medical and humanitarian aid to the sick and injured.

Patients described the hospital as a beacon of hope in the war-torn enclave, where Israel has launched fresh attacks.

Since its opening in December, the 200-bed UAE field hospital has treated more than 48,700 injured Palestinians. One year on, medical staff continue to provide critical care to those affected by the ongoing war.

Assembled swiftly by a team of medical professionals and support staff, the hospital is equipped with advanced medical technology and specializes in general and orthopedic surgery, anesthetic services, intensive care for children and adults, dentistry, and psychiatric treatment. A prosthetics center, launched in February, offers cutting-edge limb treatment and rehabilitation to help patients regain mobility and rebuild their lives.

Staff at the hospital have been donating blood to aid civilians in need, further demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian efforts. The facility operates with the support of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the Emirates Red Crescent.

With over 50,000 people killed in Gaza, the war has displaced nearly 80% of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents—many forced to flee multiple times—while destroying homes, hospitals, mosques, and schools. Amid this devastation, the UAE field hospital remains a vital lifeline for thousands in need.