In brief
Sharjah Charity International (SCI) dispatched a 140‑tonne shipment of winter clothing and food to the Gaza Strip, part of its 'Warm Winter for Gaza' campaign under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. The aid aims to help in the harsh winter and reach one million Palestinian beneficiaries, following UAE leadership’s pledge to intensify relief efforts. UAE humanitarian assistance now totals over 136,000 tonnes, at a cost of about $4.3 billion.
Fourteen kilometres west of the Gaza Strip, Sharjah Airport’s Cargo Village was alive with the preparation of a massive cargo flight destined for southern Israel. Scientifically logged, the shipment carried 140 tonnes of winter clothing, blankets, and food supplies earmarked for Palestinian families in hot‑weather, yet freezing winter cabins, according to an official statement from the Emirates News Agency on Wednesday, November 1, 2026.
The operation, named « Warm Winter for Gaza », is part of the larger UAE‑led charitable effort, Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, which began in 2023. SCI’s Chairman, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, inspected the load at the terminal and praised the enduring cooperation with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s directives to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a statement, Sheikh Saqr said the shipment “strengthens our commitment to offset the winter hardships faced by the Palestinians in Gaza.” He added that the programme has marched from the past “to support children, women and the elderly, who are most vulnerable to the chilling effects of this season.” The wording echoed his emphasis that the initiative was a flagship part of the UAE’s ongoing relief strategy for the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, Hamoud Al Afari, Director of UAE Relief Operations under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, confirmed that the flight would depart from Sharjah Airport with an Arabian Gulf cargo airline. He noted that the “Winter Clothing” initiative aims to reach one million beneficiaries across the Gaza Strip, and that the total UAE humanitarian assistance delivered to Gaza has surpassed 136,000 tonnes in all, representing about 46 percent of every international aid delivery to the region, a sum totaling roughly USD 4.3 billion.
“We are continuing to dispatch humanitarian aid shipments from Sharjah Airport in cooperation with Sharjah Charity International under the ‘Winter Clothing’ initiative. The initiative aims to reach one million beneficiaries among the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip by providing clothing and blankets to protect them from the winter cold,”
Al Afari added that the recent cargo load is a tangible manifestation of the UAE’s stewardship in providing essential assistance. He highlighted both the quantity of goods and the broader strategic role of the operation, which includes ensuring that living standards for the most exposed families remain stable during a season that can exacerbate existing hardships.
Leading up to the launch, the cargo bundle had been assembled at the Airport’s Cargo Village, with thousands of pallets stacked and labelled for export to the Gaza Strip. The shipment includes thermal jackets for children and adults, heavy winter blankets, and staple food items to support daily life amid shortages. The inventory is coordinated with the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and a host of local NGOs to guarantee an expedited and efficient delivery chain to Gazan communities.
Residents in north‑east Gaza have frequently quoted the cold winds that ripple across the Strip’s narrow borders. The Winter Clothing initiative seeks to diminish the conditions where high temperatures in season often turn into a struggle. Narratives from local district supervisors describe an acute need for “cold‑proof” clothing that can sustain families amid regular temperature drops to below freezing at night.
While the 140‑tonne plane is poised to glide across the Arabian sky, the ship of concentrated humanitarian aid symbolizes an emirate’s long‑standing commitment to Palestinians. The campaign’s vehicles of support – ranging from letters of gratitude to footage of families receiving aid – remain a cornerstone in the coalition of relief efforts in this difficult region. With Saudi Arabia’s own collaborations and the broader coalition, the collective remains devoted to chipping away at alienated suffering through relief, health, and community validation.
For now, the cargo flight will be in attendance at Sharjah Airport. A departure time is yet to be announced, but any following development will reinforce Pakistan’s and especially the United Arab Emirates’ efforts toward sustaining Gaza’s welfare throughout the harsh season. The campaign aligns with the international community’s goal to restore stability, while keeping the humanitarian footprint both measurable and significant.
