The British government is accelerating plans to bring up to 50 critically injured and ill children from Gaza to the UK for NHS treatment, with Downing Street confirming the initiative is moving “at pace” following pressure from lawmakers.
A cross-government task force involving the Foreign Office, Home Office, and Department of Health is coordinating the complex evacuation process, which officials describe as “sensitive and complex.” The first wave of Palestinian children is expected to arrive within weeks for specialized medical care unavailable in Gaza’s devastated healthcare system.
The children will travel with family members through a third country where biometric data will be collected before entering the UK. Some evacuees may be permitted to enter the asylum system, according to government sources.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson emphasized the urgency while declining to specify exact numbers: “There’s a task force up and running to deliver this as soon as possible. Patients will obviously be assessed on a case-by-case basis, some will be brought to the UK if that’s the best option for their care.”
The initiative responds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Palestinian Health Ministry reports over 62,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, including more than 18,000 children. Over 156,000 people have been wounded in the ongoing conflict. Israel disputes these casualty figures but has not provided alternative counts.
The government’s plan builds upon existing private medical evacuations conducted by Project Pure Hope, which has brought a small number of Gaza children to the UK for specialist treatment. The new NHS-coordinated program represents a significant expansion of these humanitarian efforts.
Last month, 96 cross-party MPs wrote to the government demanding action to evacuate injured Gaza children. Suspended Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who signed the letter, stressed there must be “no delay” in providing life-saving treatment.
“I have met regularly with clinicians on their return from Gaza, who have shared the most distressing stories of the challenges of providing services to children without the equipment and medication that is needed,” Maskell said. She described inadequate medical facilities where doctors face daily life-and-death decisions that could be avoided with proper UK treatment.
The government continues providing humanitarian aid to the region while working on these direct medical evacuations. Officials indicated they will provide updates on the program’s progress “as and when” possible, emphasizing their commitment to delivering assistance rapidly.
Recent reports indicate the crisis continues, with the Palestinian health ministry recording at least 60 deaths in a 24-hour period and seven Palestinians killed while attempting to access aid Monday morning.
