Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper recently visited courageous young individuals who were evacuated from Gaza for urgent medical treatment.

One of the children, Mohammed, aged 8, tragically lost his leg due to bombings near his home in Khan Younis four months ago. After initial treatment in a Jordanian field hospital in Gaza, he was airlifted to Amman for further care and fitted with a prosthetic leg. Despite the challenges, Mohammed has successfully relearned to walk and can now engage in activities like running and climbing stairs. During the visit to the Specialty Hospital in Amman, Ms. Cooper commended Mohammed for his bravery and encouraged his aspirations of becoming a policeman like his father.

Additionally, the Foreign Secretary also conversed with sisters Sarraa, 17, and Sara, 15, who endured severe injuries from a bombing incident in December 2024. The sisters were trapped under rubble for over an hour before being rescued. Following their evacuation to Jordan in June, Sarraa underwent plastic surgery for a forehead wound, eye surgery to remove shrapnel, and leg surgery. Sara, who was initially paralyzed, now has partial use of her upper body and can maneuver a wheelchair.

Dr. Osama Hamed, a dedicated surgeon, described the dire healthcare situation in Gaza, emphasizing the lack of resources and supplies leading to challenging treatment decisions. Despite the ongoing hardships, efforts are underway to rebuild Gaza’s healthcare system, with the UK pledging support for medical evacuations and healthcare restoration. Collaboration with other countries like Saudi Arabia and Germany is being explored to enhance health services in Gaza and ensure continued assistance through medevac operations.