UAE completes 76th Gaza airdrop under ‘Gallant Knight 3’

The airdrops were launched in response to the acute humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, where civilians were isolated by ongoing ground fighting and repeated border closures. Following coordination with Egypt and Israel—given the air restrictions over the Strip—we initiated “Birds of Goodness” under Gallant Knight 3 to deliver food directly by parachute to families trapped in the north. The objective is straightforward: get assistance to civilians cut off from aid and help avert hunger and famine risks caused by the conflict and access constraints. These efforts also reflect the UAE’s commitment to global humanitarian action and regional and international cooperation.

As of mid-August 2025, 76 airdrop missions have delivered approximately 4,020 tonnes of food and essential items—more than 350,000 food parcels—with each parcel designed to support a family for a week. The most in-demand items are carbohydrate- and sugar-rich staples, particularly flour, in line with local dietary needs.

From the outset, we coordinated with Egypt and Israel. Egypt granted use of its airspace, provided warehousing for aid and parachutes, and offered technical support from its Air Force, which also participated in the drops. Israel temporarily suspended aerial activity over designated drop zones to ensure safe delivery. Subsequently, Jordan joined the coordination and granted necessary airspace access and logistical facilities. Missions have also seen participation from Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Singapore and Indonesia, alongside Emirati charities that prepared the relief consignments.

Weather—especially wind—affects parachute accuracy and forced aircraft to fly at very low altitudes, increasing exposure in an active conflict zone. Heavy electronic jamming also complicated navigation, limiting GPS use. Our pilots relied on manual navigation and their training to deliver aid precisely under risk. Despite these hurdles, we continued uninterrupted; by mid-August the total airdropped aid surpassed 4,020 tonnes, reflecting the UAE’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people.

To date, the UAE has sent eight ships from UAE ports to Al-Arish, Egypt, carrying over 43,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies. In parallel, six ships sailed from Cyprus to northern Gaza with more than 8,000 tonnes of aid, and three ships moved from Al-Arish to Ashdod Port with over 6,600 tonnes.

Vessels depart from Fujairah, Al Hamriyah (Dubai) and Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) to Al-Arish. Cargo is offloaded into high-standard warehouses and then transported in convoys through Rafah into Gaza. Voyages have faced rough seas and security risks along routes including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, where Houthi militias have targeted commercial vessels. Loads vary by ship size and urgency, but most consignments comprise food staples and essential relief materials.

Coordination with Egyptian authorities has been smooth. Shipping companies complete customs and clearances before departure from the UAE, enabling rapid offloading at Al-Arish and swift overland transfer into Gaza. The principal departure points are Fujairah, Al Hamriyah and Khalifa Port, with Al-Arish as the primary entry hub.