A group of 10 critically ill and injured children have been evacuated from Gaza to the UK for urgent NHS medical treatment, the government has announced.
The children arrived in the UK along with their immediate families, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed.
The evacuations of 10 children and 50 companions were assisted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Their arrival comes as part of a scheme in which up to 300 young people will enter the UK for free medical care. More children will be arriving in the UK for care in the coming weeks.
Health and Social Care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “No one can fail to be distressed by the devastating impact the war has had on the children of Gaza, and I cannot imagine the fear and anguish their families have endured. It is a soul-destroying situation that compels us to act.
“Every child deserves the chance to heal, to play, to simply be able to dream again. These young patients have witnessed horrors no child should ever see, but this marks the start of their journey towards recovery.”
Since the war began in October 2023, there have been three children from Gaza who have been issued medical visas for the UK under the Project Pure Hope scheme.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “In Gaza, where the healthcare system has been decimated and hospitals are no longer functioning, there are severely ill children unable to get the medical care they need to survive.
“As we welcome the first group of children to the UK for urgent treatment, their arrival reflects our determined commitment to humanitarian action and the power of international cooperation.
“We continue to call for the protection of medical infrastructure and health workers in Gaza, and for a huge increase in medicines and supplies to be allowed in.”
This is a breaking story, more to follow…
