Overview

• The health ministry confirmed the first group of sick and injured children has begun the journey to Britain, with immediate family members accompanying them.
• Officials said the patients are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and declined to release flight details for operational security.
• Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Daily Mirror the children have left Gaza and are on the way to the UK, with reports that they are receiving care in another country in the region.
• The transfer follows a July pledge by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and reflects severe shortages of medicines and staff in Gaza that have left hospitals struggling to function.
• A small number of children previously reached the UK through the private Project Pure Hope initiative, and while no official total has been given for the government scheme, some reports suggest an initial cohort of roughly 30 to 50.