First Gazan Child Arrives in the UK for Critical Medical Treatment

Majid Shaghnobi, injured by a tank shell while seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza, has arrived in London for medical treatment. His journey marks a significant development in efforts to aid injured Gazan children as ongoing conflicts continue to claim lives and affect countless families.

Majid Shaghnobi, a 15-year-old boy from Gaza, landed at London's Heathrow Airport today, becoming the first Gazan child to seek medical treatment in the UK amidst the ongoing conflict in the region. Accompanied by his mother, brother, and sister, Majid expressed his gratitude and relief, stating, "I'm happy to be in England and to get treatment," despite his injuries preventing him from speaking or eating normally.

In February last year, while trying to secure humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza, Majid's life was forever changed when a nearby Israeli tank shell exploded. This tragic incident shattered his jawbone and severely injured his leg. "They thought I was dead," he recollected, recalling the moment a friend rushed him to the hospital, where he had to move his hand to prove his vitality.

Following a long stay in a Gaza hospital, where he survived numerous procedures and learned to navigate life with a tracheostomy tube, he was eventually evacuated to Egypt earlier this year for further specialized medical care, granted with Israel's permission. Now, Majid is set to undergo surgery at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London to address the severe facial injuries he incurred.

His arrival is a landmark moment supported by Project Pure Hope, a volunteer initiative created to help injured and ill Gazan children access critical medical treatment in the UK. The project underscores the disparity in international support, noting that while countries like the US and Belgium have mobilized aid, the UK has lagged in facilitating this humanitarian effort.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recent pledge to assist more children from Gaza follows Majid's arrival, yet details on the execution of this plan remain sparse. Leading medical professionals are committed to Majid's care, including specialists in craniofacial and plastic surgery, who are working pro bono to reconstruct his jaw and restore significant functions lost to his injuries.

Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, the lead surgeon, expressed disappointment at the prolonged time taken to facilitate treatment for Majid, reflecting on the broader humanitarian responsibility to intervene sooner. With plans to assist additional critically injured children from Gaza, Project Pure Hope has identified at least 30 others in urgent need of medical attention.

As Majid begins this transformative journey toward recovery, his concerns extend back to family still residing in Gaza, where ongoing food shortages and healthcare crises continue to jeopardize lives. The situation underscores the urgency for more comprehensive intervention in areas affected by conflict, where countless children remain vulnerable to harm and deprivation.