‘Hope turns into reality’ for Gaza injured and cancer patients on UAE flight

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At Al Arish military airport in the north of Egypt, more than 100 cancer patients and wounded Gazans are set to arrive in a hangar.

On the tarmac is an Etihad commercial plane that has been converted into a hospital, equipped with 10 stretchers suspended over seats, blankets and hot meals. But the most important thing the plane is carrying is hope.

At the hangar, the patients are tended to by a team of about 40 people from different UAE government departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, and the Department of Health, as well as Etihad cabin crew.

Seeing “hope turn into reality” for the people being brought to the UAE is a reward in and of itself, flight medical commander Joe Coughlan told media on board the plane.

“I can’t describe the feeling in words, when I stand on top of these steps on the plane and look across to see all these people who had hoped to be on board this flight land to safety,” he said.

“The distance between hope and reality then becomes the distance between their seat on the plane and the door.”

This is the fourth UAE evacuation mission Mr Coughlan has flown. So far, the UAE has conducted six flights to bring sick and injured Gazans out of Al Arish, with the aim of flying out 1,000 cancer and 1,000 paediatric patients.

On the sixth mission, the level of preparation seems a lot higher than previous ones.

The teams ensure patients sit in aisle seats so they are easily accessible. Patients suspected of having infections are clearly marked using two wristbands, while people who need wheelchair assistance are placed in the emergency exit aisle.

“While you’re in the midst of it all, you don’t get to see the impact that the mission is having on the patients, but when it’s all over, you go home feeling so, so fulfilled.”

On the way to Al Arish military airport, Mustafa Ezzeddin, a doctor who has served in intensive care units for 15 years, appeared emotional as he prepared to board the flight.