
UAE carries out 68th airdrop of aid, delivers 540 tonnes of food aid to Gaza
The shipment included quantities of essential food supplies, prepared with the support of several UAE-based charitable institutions and entities, to meet the needs of residents amid the difficult humanitarian conditions in the Strip.
In addition to the airdrop, 20 trucks loaded with 540 tonnes of food supplies entered Gaza through land crossings, as part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to secure vital supplies by land and air.
With this operation, the total volume of aid airdropped by the UAE has reached more than 3,908 tonnes of various relief items, including food and essential supplies, underscoring its sustained commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and bolstering their resilience.
The mission is held in cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, including the participation of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


ARN News Center
2 hours ago
- ARN News Center
UAE continues aid to Gaza, over 3,940 tonnes airdropped
The UAE carried out its 70th airdrop on Wednesday, with the total amount of aid delivered by air under the operation exceeding 3,940 tonnes. The UAE continues its humanitarian support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip under Operation Birds of Goodness, part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, in cooperation with Jordan, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and France. #UAE conducts 70th airdrop of aid over #Gaza Strip #WamNews — WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 13, 2025 The shipment included quantities of essential food supplies, prepared with the support of UAE-based charities to meet the needs of residents in the strip.

Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Zafar Masud's ‘Seat 1C' inspires a journey of purpose and resilience
Zafar Masud, a miraculous survivor of a plane crash, recently visited Dubai for the book launch of his memoir, Seat 1C: A Survivor's Tale of Hope, Resilience and Renewal. The book launch was warmly received in the UAE, where Masud's narrative left audiences in awe of fate. Book readings were held in various cities, including Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Though Seat 1C appeals to all age groups, it is written particularly for the younger generation about to enter the real world and for individuals in positions of influence who shape institutions. The lessons from the crash and the reflections in the book are highly relevant to anyone in decision-making capacities, as they address accountability, humility, and the consequences of complacency. 'Recalling the details of the day was not easy, as it was not just about the memory of the ill-fated crash. It was about revisiting the emotions, the uncertainty, and the awareness of what happened to me and some two hundred passengers on that day. The process of writing forced me to understand the event beyond just my own experience; it helped me to think about how people process shock, survival, and recovery,' Masud shares. Writing about his miraculous survival, Masud's writing became a source of detachment, stepping back to reflect, not just react, and in doing so, Seat 1C became more a narration of what we take away from life's difficult situations, rather than a narration of the crash itself. There were a few reasons that motivated Masud to write the book. He felt a great sense of responsibility to keep his own life lessons alive through his book. He felt it was not just enough for the news of the crash to make headlines for a few days and weeks and then disappear. He wanted to touch the heart of the matter, where survival becomes difficult, and life teaches one to survive against all odds. 'I have always believed that life's difficult moments, however painful they may be, by design of nature, offer greater clarity about life,' he says. The incident brought to light an important reminder that, at the end, no matter who we are in terms of our career or where we are in the realm of our social ladder, we are a 'human first'. By writing Seat 1C, Masud draws our attention to the true meaning of life in its vast compass and frailty. As Masud's life was spared, he spent endless hours thinking about the reasons behind his survival. Why had God spared his life was a question that consumed him for several months. However, there was a shift in his questioning as he moved from 'Why me?' to 'What can I do with this life that I was spared?' This forced Masud to rethink life and what he was meant to do in the world. 'I realised survival comes with a duty, to make your life more meaningful, to impact others positively, and not take time for granted. It changed my mindset completely, and that shift has stayed with me every day since,' he reflects. The primary purpose of writing this book for Masud was to move beyond a personal account of survival and instead offer a broader reflection on the state of societies and institutions, both in his country and elsewhere. Though the book revolves around the plane crash, the message in the book is much larger. It's about understanding how attitude, especially arrogance and complacency, can contribute to systemic failures, whether in aviation, governance, or any sector. At the same time, the book highlights the often-forgotten concept of the fundamental decency and resilience of ordinary people. 'I learnt the fundamental decency and resilience of ordinary people. I experienced that first-hand, through strangers who risked their lives to save me. The book invites readers to think about the contrasts in our society between the hubris of institutions and the quiet strength of the masses,' Masud explains. Masud's own experience made him rethink his life. When one faces death so closely, it for sure changes one's own perspective on life. It took Masud three years to write the book, and during these years, he went through many emotions of despair and helplessness he felt on the ill-fated day, and the fact that he survived in a calamity all transpired in a book that unfolds many lessons we forget in our busy days. An avid reader himself, Masud follows a career in banking. However, after the incident of PK8303, Masud has found a new meaning in life. 'At its core, the book is a call to introspection, for individuals to remain humble. The central theme of the book revolves around being a satisfied man with no regrets when they are leaving the world,' he says.


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Meet Emirati woman helping turn toxic waste into clean water
As evidenced by many Emirati women, the words of the late Sheikh Zayed, father and founder of the country ring true: 'Nothing should stop the progress of women.' For Raisa Salem Al Mansoori, the leadership of her country was the driving force in pursuing an unlikely occupation — a machine operator specialist for a waste treatment plant in Abu Dhabi. The 24-year-old spends her days at the treatment plant, inspecting water pumps and taking samples to ensure it's clean. She turns hazardous waste found in sludge — material left over during the process of wastewater treatment and usually consists of solids mixed with water — into clean water. That water is then used for non-drinking purposes, like irrigation for farming. 'At first, people were shocked,' Raisa said when asked about people's reactions to her occupation. 'But I received a lot of encouragement from my parents. As an Emirati woman, I aspire to achieve what Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed said,' she said, recalling the quote by the UAE President in which he said, 'You are an important generation, we want to make you the leaders of the world,' referring to young Emiratis. 'These words encouraged me to take on the challenge of developing our country,' Raisa added. Raisa first went into medicine but decided that it was not for her. She later felt inspired by the words of Sheikh Zayed: 'The real prosperity of a country is its youth." Raisa said that those words prompted her to seek an occupation that would better the environment and our life here on earth. 'It was difficult in the beginning,' Raisa admits. She had no prior knowledge of how to operate equipment of any sort. But the company she works for, Veolia Near & Middle East, put her under an intensive study program so that she could be set on becoming an operator. From waste to clean water The transformation from sludge to usable water begins with what Raisa calls 'equalization,' where the sludge is first collected. From there, it's moved into tanks where special chemicals are added. These substances help tiny particles clump together, making it easier to separate solids from liquid. Once the heavier solids settle, the cleaner water moves through further treatment stages, passing pumps and filters that remove remaining impurities. The final product is clear, safe water that can be reused. 'I believe that my journey proves that it is not difficult for the children of the country, especially women. And thank God, the leadership of the United Arab Emirates supports us in all areas,' Raisa said. 'If the Emirati youth are interested in the environment and safety, there is room for them in the industry. With passion and hard work, the youth and women can achieve the goals of the United Arab Emirates and make it a more sustainable country," she added.