Jordan’s commitment to Palestine: One year of humanitarian support to Gaza

Under royal directives, the Jordanian Armed Forces have mobilized all available resources to support the resilience of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank since the onset of the conflict in Gaza nearly a year ago.

Their efforts span medical, therapeutic, humanitarian, and relief sectors, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian suffering caused by the challenging conditions in the Gaza Strip. This initiative underscores Jordan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and its people.

To bolster the healthcare sector in Gaza, the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) dispatched a field military hospital to Khan Younis in the southern part of the territory.

Additionally, they augmented the military hospital in the northern sector with specialized medical personnel and sent a third field hospital to Nablus to provide necessary medical services to the Palestinian people.

Since the conflict's escalation on October 7 of last year, approximately 494,000 medical cases have been treated across various field hospitals, with a dedicated team of 193 doctors and 361 nurses participating in the efforts.

This figure highlights the significant humanitarian challenges faced by the Palestinian people and the urgent need to address their health and relief requirements.

The medical teams in the Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza and Nablus have successfully performed over 2,950 major and minor surgeries, including dozens of complex procedures conducted for the first time, reflecting Jordan's commitment to dispatch qualified medical expertise to provide advanced healthcare to the injured.

To ensure the Jordanian field hospital in northern Gaza is stocked with urgent medical supplies, His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, directed the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces - Arab Army to carry out airdrops using Royal Air Force aircraft.

These operations delivered substantial amounts of medical, relief, and humanitarian supplies, marking the third-largest logistical support operation in modern military history.

In line with ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people amid their dire humanitarian conditions, aerial drops have been expanded to cover various areas in northern and southern Gaza.

His Majesty the King participated in one of the airdrop operations, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, who joined Royal Air Force aircraft to Al-Arish Airport.

Additionally, Her Royal Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II took part in the airdrop operations, demonstrating the Hashemites' commitment to the Palestinian cause and placing it among their priorities by personally participating in the efforts to deliver aid to the affected areas and standing by the Palestinian people during these challenging times.

Since the conflict began, Jordanian aircraft have conducted 122 airdrops, and there have been 266 airdrops in cooperation with partner countries, totaling 388 humanitarian airdrops to meet humanitarian needs and provide medical and relief support.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has also established an air bridge from Marka Military Airport to Al-Arish Airport in Egypt to provide humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza.

This initiative aims to ensure the transfer of large quantities of medical supplies, food items, and other essential needs in collaboration with humanitarian and international organizations, addressing the urgent requirements faced by residents of the Gaza Strip.

A total of 53 aircraft have been dispatched to Al-Arish Airport, carrying 886,579 tons of aid.

Moreover, the Jordanian Armed Forces, in collaboration with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) and several international organizations, have facilitated land convoys through border crossings, totaling around 3,535 trucks transporting humanitarian and relief aid, which included significant quantities of food supplies, medical necessities, and basic needs, thereby improving the humanitarian situation.

In line with royal initiatives, the Jordanian Armed Forces launched the "Restoring Hope" initiative on September 16, 2024, in partnership with two specialized companies to provide new technology for prosthetic limb fittings.

Two mobile clinics equipped with all necessary tools and equipment were sent to Gaza by a specialized medical team from the National Center for Amputation Injury Rehabilitation. This initiative, which began two weeks ago, allows for the fitting of prosthetic limbs within an hour, highlighting Jordan's efforts to improve the quality of life for individuals who have lost limbs due to the ongoing conflict, with a goal to provide upper and lower prosthetic limbs to approximately 14,000 injured individuals.

Continuing with royal initiatives, last week the Jordanian Armed Forces completed preparations for a specialized military field hospital for obstetrics and gynecology, which will be sent to Gaza in the span of four phases.

This facility will be the first of its kind in the world, aimed at supporting the Jordanian field hospital located in the southern Gaza Strip. It will be staffed by 82 medical, nursing, technical, and administrative personnel, including 55 from the Royal Medical Services, and will feature two delivery rooms, an operating room, and 30 patient beds, along with a pharmacy, laboratory, and blood bank. It is expected to be ready to receive patients by mid-November to enhance healthcare services for mothers and newborns amid the deteriorating conditions.

The Jordanian Armed Forces have played a significant role in evacuating Jordanians from the Gaza Strip and ensuring their safe return. This operation involved precise logistical measures to guarantee the safety of citizens leaving the region under challenging security conditions, alongside providing necessary medical care and support.

This effort reflects the Kingdom's commitment to protecting its citizens and offering various forms of assistance during crises and emergencies.

It is essential to emphasize that these efforts serve as a gateway for humanitarian aid to our people in Gaza and Palestine, regardless of the sacrifices made.

The Jordanian Armed Forces have lost personnel in this humanitarian and relief mission, including martyr Corporal Imad Ata Al-Aram and martyr Soldier Yahya Othman Al-Sayah, clearly demonstrating that humanitarian work is no less perilous than operational duties.

The Armed Forces will not hesitate to translate royal directives into action, serving as a noble Jordanian response to their Arab brothers in times of shared destiny.