London / Jerusalem — The UK government is launching a new humanitarian initiative to evacuate critically ill and injured children from Gaza to the United Kingdom for treatment under the National Health Service. This taxpayer-funded plan, expected to be announced in the coming weeks, builds on prior private evacuations facilitated by charities such as Project Pure Hope , reported the Gaurdian.
Under the proposed scheme, potentially up to 300 children will be airlifted to the UK, accompanied by a parent or guardian—and possibly siblings—to receive urgent medical care not available in Gaza. Three children have already arrived through privately funded efforts earlier this year .
Charities, including Project Pure Hope and Children Not Numbers, have welcomed the plan but warned that bureaucratic delays have previously caused fatal outcomes, with some children dying before permits were approved . The World Health Organization estimates approximately 12,500 Gazans need evacuation, thousands of whom are children .
Meanwhile, more than 600 former Israeli security officials, including ex-heads of the IDF and Mossad, have drafted an open letter urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza. The veterans warn the ongoing conflict is unnecessary and prolongs the humanitarian catastrophe—while hostages remain at risk .
The UK’s collaboration with Jordan on plans to airdrop aid and evacuate sick children forms part of broader international efforts to respond to worsening famine conditions in Gaza. UN agencies, including UNRWA and Médecins Sans Frontières, emphasize that dropped aid is less effective, costly, and potentially dangerous, urging Israel to lift restrictions on ground access instead .
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is simultaneously considering recognizing Palestinian statehood in September—conditional on a ceasefire and return to a two-state framework by Israel—echoing similar positions taken by countries including France and Canada .
