100 children from Gaza seek evacuation to the UK for critical medical treatment

Published: 05 August ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

In a significant humanitarian move, the UK government has announced a scheme to evacuate more than 100 critically ill and injured children from Gaza to receive life-saving treatment under the NHS. The decision, welcomed by medical charities and human rights advocates, follows mounting pressure from MPs and ongoing legal challenges against the government’s earlier inaction.

The crisis in Gaza, deepened by Israel’s ongoing blockade and famine conditions, has left thousands in desperate need of medical assistance. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, and the World Health Organization estimates that over 12,500 patients require urgent medical evacuation. While other countries like Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE have already acted, the UK’s response had been delayed—until now.

Campaigners and charities like Project Pure Hope (PPH) and Children Not Numbers (CNN) have been tirelessly pushing for intervention. These organisations, which had already privately evacuated a few children, are now preparing lists of 100 children ready for immediate transfer—complete with medical records and paperwork. The plan includes provisions for guardians and siblings to accompany them.

Omar Din, co-founder of PPH and an NHS healthcare executive, stressed the urgency: “We have previously had children on the list, but because approval takes so long, some of those children have ended up dying. The government needs to move at pace.” The situation is dire; CNN reports that 71 children they supported have already died while waiting for care.

Charities have offered not only logistical support but also a blueprint for how the government scheme could scale efficiently. With a robust NHS and a thriving private healthcare sector, advocates argue the UK has the resources—if the will exists.

One tragic case involved a child with fourth-degree burns over 40% of his body. Delays in government processing meant he had to be flown to Italy instead. Another one-year-old child with a congenital illness was also diverted to another country. These heartbreaking outcomes highlight the consequences of bureaucratic inertia.

The UK government has now formed a cross-departmental taskforce to expedite the evacuation scheme, which is expected to launch within weeks. A spokesperson from the Foreign Office confirmed the plan, stating: “We are taking forward plans to evacuate more children from Gaza who require urgent medical care, including bringing them to the UK for specialist treatment where that is the best option for their care.”

However, humanitarian organisations warn that the government must act quickly. Médecins Sans Frontières has raised concerns about frequent rejections from Israeli authorities, which further complicate the evacuation process. Even with paperwork complete, final approvals remain a significant hurdle.

Despite the tragedy of lives lost, there remains hope. Charities are ready, doctors are prepared, and families are waiting. The time to act is now—before more young lives are lost to delay.