LONDON: Dozens of sick and injured children from Gaza are expected to arrive for treatment in the UK in the coming days. They will be the first beneficiaries of a government scheme to provide healthcare via the National Health Service. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in July that the children would be evacuated “urgently,” with reports blaming red tape for the delay in their arrival. More than 50,000 children have been killed or injured in Gaza since Israel’s military operation began in October 2023, according to UNICEF.

The Foreign Office says the group of children will arrive in the UK "in the coming days".

It is understood the youngsters are currently being cared for by medics in a neighbouring country before being flown to the UK for specialist treatment.