Majid Shaghnobi, a 15-year-old boy injured by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza, has arrived at London's Heathrow airport with his family for urgent medical treatment. Majid, who can no longer eat or speak normally, expressed his joy at being in the UK for surgery aimed at restoring his facial functionality.
The incident that changed his life occurred in February 2022 while he was seeking humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. An explosion left him with severe injuries, including a shattered jawbone and a wounded leg, and he was initially believed to be dead until he moved to signal his survival. After receiving life-saving care in Gaza, he was later evacuated to Egypt for further treatment, following permission from Israel.
Now, Majid is set to undergo surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital, the first child from Gaza to receive care for war injuries in the UK nearly two years into the conflict—one that has reportedly left over 50,000 children injured or dead, according to Unicef. His journey to the UK was made possible through Project Pure Hope, a team of volunteer medical professionals dedicated to facilitating medical assistance for critically ill Gazan children. Despite the UK having some of the best pediatric facilities in the world, it has lagged behind other countries in offering aid.
Majid's arrival comes shortly after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to prioritize the evacuation of injured children from conflict zones, although specific details of plans remain scarce. His medical team, offering their services pro bono, aims to enhance Majid's ability to eat and communicate, significantly impacting his quality of life. Lead surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani expressed disappointment at the prolonged response time in addressing the needs of injured Gaza children.
Project Pure Hope is also looking to help an additional 30 children from Gaza with serious injuries, asserting that time is critical for these individuals. The group's efforts have already allowed injured children like Rama and Ghena to receive treatment in the UK after being evacuated from Gaza, showcasing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and inspiring hope for many families still struggling with the toll of war.
As Majid navigates his recovery, he remains worried about his brothers still in Gaza. "I'm scared that they'll die or something will happen to them," he voiced. The escalating humanitarian crisis continues to unfold as experts warn of rising hunger-related deaths among Palestinians in Gaza.
The incident that changed his life occurred in February 2022 while he was seeking humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. An explosion left him with severe injuries, including a shattered jawbone and a wounded leg, and he was initially believed to be dead until he moved to signal his survival. After receiving life-saving care in Gaza, he was later evacuated to Egypt for further treatment, following permission from Israel.
Now, Majid is set to undergo surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital, the first child from Gaza to receive care for war injuries in the UK nearly two years into the conflict—one that has reportedly left over 50,000 children injured or dead, according to Unicef. His journey to the UK was made possible through Project Pure Hope, a team of volunteer medical professionals dedicated to facilitating medical assistance for critically ill Gazan children. Despite the UK having some of the best pediatric facilities in the world, it has lagged behind other countries in offering aid.
Majid's arrival comes shortly after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to prioritize the evacuation of injured children from conflict zones, although specific details of plans remain scarce. His medical team, offering their services pro bono, aims to enhance Majid's ability to eat and communicate, significantly impacting his quality of life. Lead surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani expressed disappointment at the prolonged response time in addressing the needs of injured Gaza children.
Project Pure Hope is also looking to help an additional 30 children from Gaza with serious injuries, asserting that time is critical for these individuals. The group's efforts have already allowed injured children like Rama and Ghena to receive treatment in the UK after being evacuated from Gaza, showcasing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and inspiring hope for many families still struggling with the toll of war.
As Majid navigates his recovery, he remains worried about his brothers still in Gaza. "I'm scared that they'll die or something will happen to them," he voiced. The escalating humanitarian crisis continues to unfold as experts warn of rising hunger-related deaths among Palestinians in Gaza.
