Overview

• Dalya and Dalal Qeshta have secured pharmacy and aerospace engineering places at the University of Manchester and University of Bristol but cannot exit Gaza due to sealed crossings and halted biometric processes.
• Gaza’s authorised biometrics centre has been closed since October 2023, forcing students to seek visa appointments in neighbouring countries amid ongoing border shutdowns.
• A Government spokesperson confirmed ministers are aware of the blocked scholars and are considering deferring biometric requirements to unblock their applications.
• Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed is pressing for emergency safe-passage routes and visa exemptions, warning that some scholarship holders have died while waiting to travel.
• Campaigners note that Ireland, France and Belgium have organised evacuation channels for Gaza students and are calling on the UK to implement similar measures.