Majid Shaghnobi: A Symbol of Hope as First Injured Gazan Child Arrives in UK for Medical Treatment

Tue Oct 14 2025 17:38:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

15-year-old Majid Shaghnobi is the first child from Gaza to receive medical treatment in the UK following severe war injuries, raising attention towards the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

The arrival of Majid Shaghnobi in the UK for surgery signifies a glimmer of hope amidst the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He is the first child wounded in the conflict to receive treatment in the UK, following efforts from Project Pure Hope, which aims to facilitate medical assistance for critically injured children. While several other nations have stepped in, the UK’s delayed response has sparked discussions regarding its role in providing aid. The lives of many other Gazan children remain at stake as international calls for assistance grow stronger.

Majid Shaghnobi, a 15-year-old boy from Gaza, arrived at Heathrow airport in London, marking a significant milestone as the first child injured in the ongoing conflict to receive medical treatment in the UK. Accompanied by his family, including his mother and siblings, Majid expressed his joy about receiving care after a traumatic experience that left him unable to speak or eat as he once could.

Majid was severely injured while attempting to obtain humanitarian aid in Gaza last year when an Israeli tank shell exploded nearby, resulting in the shattering of his jaw bone and leg injuries. After a lengthy stay in Gaza’s hospitals and a subsequent evacuation to Egypt for vital medical care, Majid's journey to the UK for surgery at the renowned Great Ormond Street children’s hospital has been made possible through the collective efforts of Project Pure Hope, a group of volunteer medical professionals working within a non-profit framework funded by private donations.

This project aims to address the absence of UK support compared to other nations actively assisting in similar medical emergencies for children from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Israel. Project Pure Hope's team highlighted the unfortunate delay in treating children from Gaza, citing that over 50,000 children have been irreparably harmed due to the ongoing conflict.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent assurances to evacuate more severely injured children from Gaza follow Majid's arrival, although specifics about this plan remain sparse. Majid’s scheduled procedures will involve a multidisciplinary team at Great Ormond Street hospital, aiming to restore his facial functionality and improve his quality of life, as expressed by lead surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani.

The efforts of Project Pure Hope have identified an urgent need for medical evacuations, as they have already pinpointed 30 critically injured children in Gaza. There's a sense of urgency from co-founder Omar Din regarding the vital need for the UK government to act swiftly, as the lives of these children depend on prompt assistance.

In related news, two other young Gazan girls, Rama and Ghena, previously evacuated to Egypt, have also successfully received treatment in the UK. Their parents relayed their continued distress regarding family members back in Gaza, where the situation remains dire, with reports of starvation and health crises affecting millions of Palestinians.

The devastating impact of warfare on Gazan youth is further emphasized with mounting evidence of malnutrition and its consequences, revealing a grim future for many. As Majid recovers in the UK and his friends in Gaza relive stories of scarcity and danger, the ongoing debate about international responsibility and humanitarian aid continues to resonate across the globe.