When Majd Alshaghnobi, a 15-year-old boy from Gaza, was badly injured last year, few could have imagined he’d one day be receiving treatment thousands of miles away in London.
Majd’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the lengths people go to save young lives caught in the crossfire.
Injuries Sustained While Searching for Food
Majd was out with two friends, searching for food, when tragedy struck.
Israeli soldiers opened fire, killing one of the boys and severely wounding Majd and another friend. Majd suffered devastating facial injuries and a shattered leg.
The impact of this moment rippled far beyond Gaza’s borders.
A Lifeline from Project Pure Hope
Thanks to Project Pure Hope, a charity founded by senior healthcare workers dedicated to helping children affected by conflict, Majd was brought to the UK for life-changing treatment.
This organization has previously treated children from Ukraine and Israel, showing its commitment to healing beyond borders.
UK Medical Team Ready to Help
Majd’s medical care in London will be provided by a team of specialist surgeons, including craniofacial, plastic, and orthodontic experts, who are volunteering their time.
With hospital bills covered by private donations, the focus is fully on Majd’s recovery.
Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, the lead surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, explained that while the surgery may not return Majd’s face to perfect normality, it aims to restore his ability to eat, speak, and express emotions—key steps towards a better quality of life.
Diplomatic Efforts and Humanitarian Visits to Gaza
Meanwhile, in Gaza, US officials are working on strategies to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, made a rare visit to Gaza to assess conditions and plan aid deliveries.
Witkoff tweeted about the visit, emphasizing the need to help the people of Gaza by delivering essential food and medical supplies.
Trump himself acknowledged the reality of “real starvation” in Gaza and stressed the urgency of aid.
The Dire Situation in Gaza’s Aid Centres
Tragically, aid distribution in Gaza has been perilous.
The UN reports over 1,300 people seeking help at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation centres—supported by Israel—have been killed since late May.
Human rights groups have called these centres “death traps,” underscoring the risks civilians face even when trying to access life-saving aid.
Calls for Medical Evacuations Grow Louder
Majd’s arrival in London follows renewed calls from UK politicians to establish a visa program similar to the one created for Ukrainian children, allowing injured Gazan children to come to Britain for treatment.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently announced plans to evacuate badly injured children from Gaza, responding to pressure from dozens of MPs and healthcare advocates.
Omar Din, co-founder of Project Pure Hope and an NHS healthcare executive, stressed the urgency: “Every day of delay risks the lives and futures of children who deserve a chance to live, to recover, and to rebuild a life.”
Hope for More Children to Receive Care
In April, two young Gazan girls with serious medical conditions were already brought to London for treatment, paving the way for more children like Majd to receive care.
Majd’s journey symbolizes both the horrors of war and the hope that compassion and medical expertise can bring, offering a second chance to children caught in unimaginable circumstances.