Palestinian Child Evacuated to the UK for Medical Treatment

Mariam Sabbah, a 10-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her arm during an Israeli missile attack in Gaza, arrived in the UK on Tuesday for specialized medical treatment. Accompanied by her mother, Fatma Salman, and two brothers, Mariam was welcomed at Heathrow Airport by a small crowd with gifts and balloons. “We’re happy that we’re here, we never thought we would actually be here in the UK,” Salman expressed, reflecting the family's relief and excitement. Mariam's injury occurred when a missile struck their home in Deir al-Balah, resulting in critical abdominal and pelvic injuries, and ultimately leading to the amputation of her left arm.

The Guardian

Mariam is among over 11,000 patients evacuated from Gaza since October 2023, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that approximately 18,500 patients, including around 3,800 children, still require urgent medical care unavailable in Gaza. The evacuation process has faced significant challenges, particularly following the suspension of medical evacuations by the WHO after the death of a contracted worker. This has raised concerns among aid organizations about the potential for increased preventable illnesses and deaths.

The Guardian

Mariam's evacuation was facilitated by the US-based NGO FAJR Global and the UK-based charity Project Pure Hope (PPH), which has been instrumental in evacuating patients since 2025. The UK government had announced a medical evacuation scheme in July 2025, aiming to assist critically ill children from Gaza. However, as of now, only 50 children have been evacuated under this scheme, despite initial expectations of up to 300. Omar Din, a co-founder of PPH, emphasized the need for the UK to enhance its humanitarian efforts, drawing parallels to its support for Ukrainian refugees.

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Critics argue that the UK government must do more to facilitate medical evacuations and provide aid. Mosab Nasser, co-founder of FAJR Global, highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions, stating, “Because of the war on Iran and the closure of all the border crossings with Gaza, evacuations have actually been halted for a long time.” He called for the UK and other governments to exert meaningful pressure on Israeli authorities to allow unrestricted aid access and the reopening of crossings.

The Guardian

A UK government spokesperson acknowledged the collaboration with the WHO and other partners in facilitating medical evacuations, noting that 50 children and their families have received care in the UK. The spokesperson also reiterated the commitment to support initiatives like Project Pure Hope, which aims to bring more children from Gaza for privately funded care. Raza Halim, co-founder of PPH, stressed the importance of not forgetting the children of Gaza and the need for continued humanitarian efforts.

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• “We’re happy that we’re here, we never thought we would actually be here in the UK,” — Fatma Salman, Mother of Mariam Sabbah

The Guardian

• “Because of the war on Iran and the closure of all the border crossings with Gaza, evacuations have actually been halted for a long time,” — Mosab Nasser, Co-founder of FAJR Global

The Guardian

This situation underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for international support and intervention to address the medical needs of its children.

The Guardian