A group of critically ill children from Gaza, a region devastated by war, have been brought to the UK for urgent medical care at NHS hospitals. The evacuation of these young patients, as reported by Mirror, was necessary due to the dire state of healthcare in Gaza. The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care confirmed the safe arrival of the children and their families in the country.

The World Health Organisation facilitated the evacuation of 10 severely ill children, deemed “critical,” along with 50 accompanying individuals from Gaza to the UK. This action follows a recent declaration by a UN inquiry accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. UNICEF estimates that over 50,000 children in the region have suffered injuries or fatalities since October 2023.

The initiative to bring these children to the UK for specialized medical treatment was announced by Keir Starmer, responding to the urgent need as many hospitals in Gaza are no longer operational. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of providing medical care to innocent children affected by the conflict and stressed the significance of international cooperation in humanitarian efforts.

The children and their immediate families were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan, where they were assisted by British Embassy staff before their transfer to the UK. Stringent security protocols were followed to ensure their safe arrival.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed deep concern for the suffering of children in Gaza, highlighting the necessity for immediate action to address their medical needs. Professor Nicola Ranger from the Royal College of Nursing welcomed the arrival of the children in the UK, emphasizing the readiness of NHS nursing staff to provide the best possible care.

This humanitarian effort underscores the commitment to safeguarding the well-being of children affected by conflict and promoting international solidarity in times of crisis.