A recent parliamentary session at Westminster has called on the UK government to urgently introduce a visa scheme to provide medical treatment for children injured by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
The session, organised by the Association of the Palestinian Community in the UK (APCUK) and hosted by the Independent Alliance, highlighted the critical need for action to assist Palestinian children suffering as Israel continues its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
APCUK is urging the UK government to create a fast-track medical visa programme to allow Gazan children, injured during the ongoing conflict, to receive the medical care they urgently need.
The organisation believes that this scheme would provide life-saving treatment and protect the future of these children, many of whom have suffered severe injuries.
If approved, APCUK and other humanitarian groups have pledged to offer logistical and financial support to make the scheme a reality.
The session featured key speakers including Said Shehadeh, Director of the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, Dr. Nehad Khanfar, Chairman of the APCUK, and Neil Sammond from War on Want.
Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador to London, was also in attendance, reinforcing the need for greater support for Gaza.
Dr. Khanfar urged the UK government to establish the visa scheme, stressing the urgency of the situation: “We urge the government to treat Gaza’s children with the same compassion and urgency shown to Ukrainian children, stressing that any further delay jeopardises the futures of young lives that could otherwise be saved.”
Neil Sammond, representing War on Want, highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the appeal: “This is not a political issue; it’s a question of humanity.”
The parliamentary session marked a significant step in the ongoing advocacy for Gaza’s children, uniting voices from various sectors to demand immediate action from the UK government to provide support and medical treatment to those in dire need.
Nearly half of Gaza’s population consists of children under 18, and since 7 October, 44,930 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of whom are women and children. Over 106,624 people have been wounded, with many requiring urgent medical treatment.
Currently, approximately 12,000 patients in Gaza need to be evacuated to receive life-saving treatment, but only 5,230 have been successfully evacuated, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This number has been hindered by the closure of the Rafah crossing to Egypt. Of those in need of evacuation, 2,500 are children, some of whom have tragically died while waiting for the opportunity to leave, often enduring a month-long wait.
