UK to announce plan to bring Palestinian children for NHS care 'within weeks'
Each child brought to the UK will be accompanied by a parent or guardian and siblings if neccessary with some expected never to return home, according to The Sunday Times which was briefed by a senior Whitehall source.
The policy shift follows a 20-month campaign by doctors, lawyers and humanitarians who have called on the government to establish a scheme for Palestinian children similar to one created for Ukrainians.
Israel's assault on Gaza that followed the Hamas-led 7 October attacks have destroyed Gaza's healthcare system.
At least 12,000 adults and children are in need of medical evacuations, according to the World Health Organisation.
Since October 2023, over 7,000 Palestinians have been evacuated, mostly to Egypt, the UAE and Qatar, with Jordan, European countries - particularly Italy, Spain and Romania - and the US taking much of the rest.
The UK has allowed three Palestinian children into the country for privately funded medical treatment, including Majd al-Shagnobi, 15, who arrived last week.
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All three were brought by the UK-based group Project Pure Hope.
In February, Shagnobi was reportedly trying to collect humanitarian aid in northern Gaza when an Israeli tank shell exploded, destroying his jaw and leaving him with significant injuries to his face.
Former Gaza contractor says Israeli soldiers were ready to shoot starving children Read More »
He is expected to undergo complex facial reconstructive surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
A spokesperson for Project Pure Hope, which has been one of the groups pushing the UK to establish a scheme, said it was "thrilled" to contribute government's task force and share its expertise from previous successful evacautions.
"Our blueprint can halpe ensure that the UK acts quickly and effectively, so that every child who needs urgent care has the best chance of survival and recovery," the spokesperson said.
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