Old Unrelated Video Shared As Medical Aids Being Sent To Israel From UAE Recently.

A video recently went viral on social media with the claim that the UAE has sent medical aid to Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The video shows an aeroplane landing on a runway and large shipments with “UAE AID” written on them.

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However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was false. The viral video is old and unrelated to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Here’s the fact check.

Fact Check 

We started our investigation by taking screenshots from the viral video and conducting a reverse image search. This led us to a report published on 6 April 2021 that contained an image similar to the screenshots from the viral video. The report read, “Abu Dhabi state carrier Etihad Airways began direct commercial passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates capital to Tel Aviv in Israel – the latest direct air link between the two countries that established diplomatic relations last year.

UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja and Israel’s head of mission to the UAE Eitan Na’eh were on the inaugural flight, as well as Etihad Group CEO Tony Douglas, who called the flight “the most significant moment in the history of Etihad.”…”

Another report carrying an image similar to the screenshots from the viral video, published on 6 April 2021, reads, “Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways has carried out its first scheduled flight to Israel, following the diplomatic normalisation agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The Boeing 787-9 (A6-BLA) touched down on Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport’s runway 12 at about 12:20 after arriving from Abu Dhabi, via northern Saudi Arabian airspace, on 6 April.

Israel and the UAE signed a diplomatic recognition agreement, the Abraham Accords, in September last year and Etihad had previously stated that it intended to open Tel Aviv services as a result.

Flight EY598 carried a diplomatic and economic delegation, including Etihad Aviation Group chief Tony Douglas, the UAE ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al-Khaja and the Israeli head of mission to the UAE Eitan Nae’eh…”

We found the first part of the video on the Facebook page Roya News English uploaded on 7 April 2021.

Conducting a reverse image search of the screenshots from the second part of the video showing large shipments, we found a video uploaded on the Facebook page of Al Bayan newspaper on 13 September 2023. The caption of the post read, “As part of the #UAE airlift to #Libya, two aid planes arrive in Benghazi.”

A detailed report published on the Al Bayan website read, “Two planes carrying urgent Emirati relief aid arrived at Benina Airport in the Libyan city of Benghazi as part of an airlift operated by the UAE to help combat the effects of flooding caused by torrential rains that have killed thousands and injured others in Libya.

The two planes carried 150 tons of food, medical supplies, shelter materials, and urgent relief supplies.

The UAE’s urgent response comes as part of the country’s humanitarian role in providing relief to those in need and those affected by various disasters. 

This initiative embodies the UAE’s humanitarian efforts on the international stage and its approach to extending a helping hand to affected communities around the world.”

Similar reports can be read here and here.

This makes it clear that the viral video is old and unrelated to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Conclusion 

From our investigation, we can say that the claim is false. The viral video doesn’t show the UAE sending medical aid to Israel amid the conflict between Israel and Iran. The first part shows the arrival of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways’ first flight landing at Tel Aviv on 6 April 2021. The second part of the video shows Emirati flood relief aid arriving at Benina Airport in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2023.