First Seriously Ill Gaza Children Evacuated to UK for NHS Treatment

The UK government has initiated a scheme to evacuate seriously ill and injured children from Gaza to receive specialist treatment through the NHS, with the first group of approximately 30 to 50 children currently en route to the UK. These children are initially cared for by medics in neighboring countries before transfer, accompanied by family members if necessary, and biometric data is collected during transit. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the extensive diplomatic efforts involved to facilitate these evacuations and also highlighted ongoing work to help students from Gaza attend British universities. The Welsh Government has confirmed its participation in this UK-wide medical evacuation scheme, committing to support a small number of children and their families while continuing to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely damaged, making long-term care for children nearly impossible, and according to UNICEF, over 50,000 children have been killed or injured since October 7, 2023. This marks the first time children from Gaza are being treated on the NHS as part of an official government operation, complementing previous private charity efforts.