In a remarkable development, a 15-year-old boy named Majid Shaghnobi has become the first Gazan child to be treated in the United Kingdom for injuries sustained during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. His journey began with a traumatic incident that occurred while he was attempting to procure humanitarian aid in the Kuwaiti area of northern Gaza in February of the previous year. During this attempt, an Israeli tank shell exploded nearby, resulting in severe injuries to his jawbone and leg. Majid was rendered unconscious, and it wasn’t until a friend managed to assist him that he received medical attention; he had to move his hand to signal that he was still alive.
Upon arrival at London’s Heathrow airport, Majid emerged from the plane with a surgical mask covering his injured mouth. Although he currently struggles to eat, speak, or smile as he used to, his eyes radiated happiness at being in England. Accompanied by his mother, brother, and little sister, Majid expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m happy to be in England and to get treatment.” Earlier, he had undergone initial treatment in Gaza, ultimately being evacuated to Egypt for further medical care before making his way to the UK.
Majid’s arrival marks a poignant moment in the ongoing humanitarian efforts related to the Gaza conflict, which has reportedly cost the lives of over 50,000 children, according to UNICEF. His case is particularly notable as he is the first Gazan child to seek war injury treatment in the UK, almost two years into a devastating conflict that continues to claim lives and inflict suffering.
Arriving in the UK is a culmination of months of dedicated effort from a collective of volunteer medical professionals who formed Project Pure Hope in November 2023. The initiative aims to ensure that seriously injured Gazan children receive crucial medical interventions unavailable to them in their home country. The organization is funded through private donations, highlighting a community-driven response to the crisis.
Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the lead surgeon for Majid’s case, plays a pivotal role in the treatment process. He articulated the hope that if they can restore functionality to Majid’s face, it would dramatically improve his quality of life. The team of specialists includes craniofacial, plastic, and orthodontic surgeons who are all volunteering their services for this critical cause.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has recently announced aspirations to evacuate more gravely injured children from Gaza, though specific details and timelines remain sparse. The initiative has been received positively by advocates who believe that the UK must do more to support injured children from the region. Majid’s case underscores a broader call for urgent action, as Project Pure Hope has identified 30 other critically injured children who require similar assistance.
Amid this, both Majid and other children like Rama and Ghena—who were evacuated for medical care earlier—continue to grapple with the pains of separation from their families still in Gaza. Rama, now residing in the UK, reports that friends have informed her of dire food shortages back home, further amplifying her anxiety and sorrow about those unable to escape the relentless violence of the ongoing conflict.
In the backdrop of this humanitarian crisis, experts from the UN warn of escalating starvation, malnutrition, and disease among the 2.1 million Palestinians remaining in Gaza. With evidence mounting that hunger-related deaths are on the rise, the urgency of providing medical and humanitarian aid to this beleaguered population becomes ever more paramount.
As Majid prepares for surgery, he not only brings hope to those around him but also symbolizes the potential for healing and recovery, amidst the chaos and tragedy ensuing from what has been described as one of the world’s most prolonged humanitarian crises.
