First patients receive urgent treatment
The first group of severely ill children from Gaza has arrived in the UK to receive life-saving treatment through the NHS, as part of a government-led medical evacuation programme.
Accompanied by their immediate families, the children were first transferred to Jordan before flying to Britain, where NHS teams are now providing specialist care.
Officials said the patients had endured “an unimaginable ordeal” amid the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.
Humanitarian effort coordinated
The cross-government operation involved the Department of Health and Social Care, the Foreign Office, the World Health Organisation, the Jordanian government and Royal Jordanian Airlines. Robust security checks were carried out before the families travelled to the UK.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Every child deserves the chance to heal, to play, to simply be able to dream again. This marks the start of their journey towards recovery.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the mission reflected “our determined commitment to humanitarian action and the power of international cooperation.”
Further arrivals expected
The government confirmed more patients will follow in the coming weeks, with the NHS National Medical Director, Professor Meghana Pandit, stressing hospitals are ready to provide urgent care.
To protect patient confidentiality and safety, officials said no details of the children’s treatment or location would be released.
Britain continues to press Israel to protect medical workers and facilities in Gaza and allow more medicines and supplies into the territory, while calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
