Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper recently visited courageous young individuals who were transported from Gaza to receive urgent medical treatment. One of the children, Mohammed, aged 8, lost his leg due to a bomb blast near his home in Khan Younis. After initial treatment in a Jordanian field hospital in Gaza, he was further treated in Amman, Jordan, where he underwent surgery and was provided with a prosthetic leg. It took him three months to regain his ability to walk on the prosthetic limb, and he can now walk, run, and navigate stairs. Ms. Cooper praised Mohammed for his bravery and encouraged his aspiration to become a policeman like his father.
Additionally, the Foreign Secretary met with sisters Sarraa, 17, and Sara, 15, who sustained severe injuries following a bomb explosion at their home while they were asleep in December 2024. The sisters endured a harrowing ordeal, trapped under rubble for over an hour before being rescued. They were then transported to a hospital in Gaza City, where Sara’s spinal injury could not be fully assessed due to a lack of necessary medical equipment. After spending six months living in makeshift tents amidst the ruins of their home, they were eventually evacuated to Jordan in June. Since their arrival in Amman, Sarraa has undergone multiple surgeries to address her injuries, including plastic surgery on a forehead wound and eye surgery, while Sara, who was previously paralyzed, has regained some upper body movement and can now utilize a wheelchair.
Dr. Osama Hamed, a surgeon at the hospital, described the dire medical conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the critical shortage of supplies and resources. He highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare providers and the devastating impact on patients, including cases of malnutrition and neglect. Ms. Cooper expressed the UK’s commitment to aiding in the reconstruction of Gaza’s healthcare system and facilitating the transfer of more patients for treatment in the UK. She underscored the importance of international collaboration in restoring and enhancing healthcare services in Gaza, mentioning discussions with various countries on potential support initiatives. The UK remains prepared to assist through medical evacuation processes and rebuilding efforts.
