A 15-year-old boy from Gaza, severely injured during the ongoing conflict, has become the first child from the region to receive medical treatment in the UK. Majd al-Shaghnobi, whose face and leg were shattered by an explosion last year, arrived in London with his family after months of struggling to access adequate care.
The teenager was attempting to secure humanitarian aid in northern Gaza when an Israeli tank shell detonated nearby, leaving him with devastating injuries. Doctors initially believed he had not survived the blast—until he managed to move his hand, proving he was still alive. After emergency treatment in Gaza and subsequent evacuation to Egypt, Majd has now been brought to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where specialists will attempt reconstructive surgery to restore his ability to eat, speak, and smile.
His journey to the UK was facilitated by Project Pure Hope, a volunteer-led initiative that assists critically injured Gazan children in accessing advanced medical care abroad. The organization has criticized the UK’s delayed response compared to other nations, emphasizing the urgent need for more evacuations.
Majd’s lead surgeon, a pediatric neurosurgery expert, acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed hope that the procedures would significantly improve his quality of life. “This isn’t just about physical recovery—it’s about giving him a future,” the doctor said.
Meanwhile, two young girls from Gaza, Rama (13) and Ghena (5), have also undergone life-saving surgeries in the UK after being evacuated earlier this year. Both had been denied proper treatment due to the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. While their conditions have improved, their families remain haunted by the plight of loved ones still trapped in the war-torn enclave, where starvation and bombardment persist.
Rama, now safe in Britain, described the anguish of knowing her brother sleeps on the streets after their home was destroyed. “I don’t want to eat when they have nothing,” she said.
As international pressure mounts, the UK government has pledged to accelerate efforts to evacuate more wounded children from Gaza. Yet for many, the response remains painfully slow—leaving countless young lives hanging in the balance.
