image: ©Mohammad Bash| iStock
A group of severely ill children from Gaza has been evacuated and brought to the UK with their families for urgent specialist NHS treatment
The UK has welcomed the first group of severely ill children from Gaza and their immediate families, who have arrived in the country to receive urgent specialist medical treatment through NHS hospitals. This humanitarian evacuation comes amid a collapsing healthcare system in Gaza, where many children are unable to access even basic treatment.
Coordinated by a cross-government taskforce, the operation included safe transit via Jordan and robust security screening, and reflects the UK’s commitment to providing care, protecting patient dignity, and urging greater humanitarian access for Gaza.
“Children are innocent victims of war”
The healthcare situation in Gaza remains challenging, with many children and adults unable to access basic healthcare and further difficulties accessing specialist treatment and support.
Now, children and their families have arrived in the UK and will gain access to world-leading NHS care following a complex humanitarian operation by a cross-government taskforce.
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, and to dream again. These young patients have witnessed horrors no child should ever see, but this marks the start of their journey towards recovery.
This reflects the very best of our NHS values – compassion, care and expertise when it matters most.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Children are too often the innocent victims of war. 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 considerable increase in medicines and supplies to be allowed in.
The Government is grateful to all partners who have assisted this operation, including the World Health Organisation for their support with the evacuation process, the Government of Jordan and Royal Jordanian for facilitating safe transit, and the UK-Emergency Medical Team and NHS clinical teams for their dedication in providing life-saving medical care to these young patients.”
All children deserve access to medical care
The government is keeping details about the Gaza children’s medical treatment and whereabouts protected to ensure patient confidentiality and personal safety.
The UK continues to urge the Government of Israel to allow Gazans to receive vital healthcare, including a scaling up of medical evacuations and allowing medicines and supplies into Gaza. The UK Government is clear on the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a path to a two-state solution.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said: “These children are severely unwell and in need of urgent medical treatment, and we will do all we can to help provide them with a safe and secure place to receive the vital care and treatment they so desperately need.
NHS specialists at hospitals across the country are providing crucial treatment to help these children and their families – and we are incredibly grateful to hospitals, staff, and volunteers who are supporting these efforts.”