A group of Palestinian children who are ill or injured are being evacuated from Gaza to receive medical treatment from the NHS in the UK. These children are currently under care in a neighboring country before being transferred to the UK for further medical assistance. The UK Government has been actively facilitating the speedy evacuation of critically ill children from Gaza due to the dire state of the healthcare system in the region.
According to UN charity Unicef, over 50,000 children have suffered injuries or fatalities since October 7, 2023, due to the ongoing conflict. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned that efforts are underway to transport these children out of Gaza and into the UK for necessary medical aid. Additionally, plans are in place to evacuate students who have secured spots in British universities.
The evacuation process involves diplomatic coordination to ensure the safe passage of these individuals through various countries. The initiative aims to assist the injured children and support students in commencing their studies in the upcoming academic term. The Israeli Government’s approval is required for the evacuations, although a few children have already been brought to the UK through the charity Project Pure Hope, founded by volunteer medical professionals.
This marks the first instance of Palestinian children being brought to the UK for NHS treatment. Each child will be accompanied by family members if needed, and biometric details will be recorded in a third country for identification purposes. While the exact number of children in the initial group remains undisclosed, previous estimates suggested it could range from 30 to 50.
Keir Starmer previously pledged to assist more sick and injured Palestinian children, emphasizing the public’s concern over the situation in Gaza. The Government had announced a scheme to provide free medical care in the UK for these children. A Foreign Office source confirmed collaboration with the World Health Organization to facilitate the arrival of critically ill children in the UK for specialized NHS treatment, with the first arrivals expected soon.