UAE launches Step of Hope program to provide prosthetic limbs to Gaza war victims

The United Arab Emirates has launched a program called Step of Hope to provide prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation support for Palestinians injured in the war in Gaza, Khaleej Times reported.

Announced under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, the initiative expands on prosthetics services first introduced at the UAE Field Hospital in Gaza in February 2024. The first phase will be carried out from the UAE Floating Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt.

What is the UAE's Step of Hope program for Gaza amputees?

Step of Hope is a three-phase rehabilitation initiative providing prosthetic limbs, physiotherapy, psychological support and follow-up care to Palestinians who lost limbs in the Gaza war. The first phase will fit 30 to 40 prosthetics for patients currently in Al Arish and other Egyptian cities. Each prosthetic takes 12 to 18 days to manufacture, with delivery within three weeks.

The program operates under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is structured around three pillars: the UAE Field Hospital in Gaza, the UAE Floating Hospital in Al Arish, and a medical evacuation system for critical cases. The floating hospital has so far delivered more than 29,000 medical services and performed over 6,000 surgeries. Referrals will be managed through dedicated communication channels to be announced separately.

Why is the UAE providing prosthetics in Egypt rather than Gaza?

Doctors involved in the programme said earlier prosthetics work inside Gaza faced serious logistical challenges, primarily because patients were repeatedly displaced during the measurement and manufacturing process. Shifting the first phase to Al Arish allows for greater continuity of care and more reliable access. Patients will also receive temporary fittings during production, along with three months of follow-up care.

Four standard prosthetic models have been approved, covering upper and lower limb amputations above and below the elbow and knee. Components are being sourced from manufacturers in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, matching standards used at treatment centres in the UAE. The programme is being implemented in partnership with humanitarian organisations including the International Charity Organisation based in Ajman, with additional partners expected to join.

What are the next phases of the Step of Hope program?

The second phase will use 3D imaging to scan patients inside Gaza, with data transmitted to Al Arish for remote manufacturing before devices are sent back to recipients. The third phase envisions establishing prosthetic production facilities and storage units inside Gaza itself, removing the need to transfer patients or data across borders.

Medical specialists said the scale of need remains significant, with both traumatic war injuries and chronic conditions such as diabetes contributing to amputations among the patient population. Field teams are expected to expand operations from Egypt into Gaza as conditions allow. Full funding and material support for the initiative are being provided under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3.