Gaza Teen's Smile Restored by NHS Surgeon After Devastating Blast Injury
In a remarkable story of resilience and medical expertise, a teenager from Gaza has smiled for the first time since losing his jaw in a catastrophic explosion, thanks to the dedicated work of an NHS surgeon. Majd Alshagnobi, aged 15, has become a symbol of hope after enduring severe facial injuries that left him without part of his face, his entire jaw, and all of his teeth.
A Journey of Recovery and Hope
Majd's harrowing ordeal began in 2024 when he was collecting humanitarian aid with friends in Gaza and was caught in an explosion from Israeli tank shells. His injuries were so severe that medics on the ground initially believed he had not survived. After weeks in intensive care in Gaza and further treatment at an Egyptian hospital, Majd embarked on a life-changing journey to the United Kingdom for advanced medical care.
He arrived in July last year, accompanied by his mother Islam, 36, and siblings Nader, 10, and Rahaf, eight. The family's move was bittersweet, as they were forced to leave behind his father Abu and brothers Mohammed, 14, and Yusef, 12, who remain living in makeshift tents in Gaza.
Miraculous Progress at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Since his arrival, Majd has undergone a series of complex facial reconstruction surgeries at London's renowned Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Six months into his treatment, the teenager has made astonishing progress, with recent pictures revealing his restored smile—a testament to the skill and dedication of UK medics.
Speaking for the first time since his treatment began, Majd expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank God, I am now receiving treatment here and my condition is much better. I hope that the same opportunity comes for the other children of Gaza, so that they too can receive treatment abroad, just as I have."
Family's Plea and Charitable Support
Majd's father, Abu, shared his relief at his son's improvement, noting, "Majd suffered greatly at the beginning from his injury, both physically and psychologically. He was in a very difficult state. But, thanks be to God, he was able to travel to Britain to receive treatment, and his condition has improved very much. God willing, his treatment journey will be completed successfully."
The family's stay and Majd's treatment in the UK are being funded by the charity Project Pure Hope, a group of British healthcare leaders and humanitarians committed to providing medical care to child victims of conflict. This support has been crucial in facilitating Majd's recovery.
Calls for Government Action on Medical Evacuations
Majd's case has highlighted broader issues regarding medical evacuations from Gaza. He travelled to the UK with Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan, a British paediatric neurologist and co-founder of Health Workers 4 Palestine, who is advocating for more government action.
Dr Abdel-Mannan emphasised the urgency, stating, "Majd's case is a drop in the ocean—there are 4,000 children right now waiting to be evacuated from Gaza for life-saving or limb-saving operations. To Keir Starmer's government, my message is clear: we have a duty to evacuate these children. I urge the government to set up a permanent evacuation scheme as previous governments did for Ukrainian children."
He added, "When I met Majd for the first time and saw his injuries, I wasn't sure how much surgeons here would be able to do for him. So when I saw the picture of his face post-surgery I felt a relief for him and his family. He's having the best treatment in the world and I'm grateful he's had the opportunity to get that done here."
Government Response and Ongoing Challenges
A government spokesman acknowledged efforts, saying, "Thanks to the efforts of the NHS and a number of local authorities, 50 children and their immediate families from Gaza arrived and are receiving the quality care they need, in surroundings that are safe and welcoming." However, this falls short of initial plans to evacuate up to 300 injured Gazan children, with only 50 having arrived nearly five months after the announcement.
The spokesman continued, "Following the ceasefire, now is the time to scale up aid and ensure much-needed medicines and medical supplies are getting into Gaza. We stand ready to continue to provide health-related support."
Broader Context and Royal Recognition
The conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, with Save the Children reporting over 20,000 child deaths in Gaza. The Israeli military has reportedly accepted that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war.
In a show of support, the Prince of Wales visited injured Gazan children being treated by the NHS in November. A Kensington Palace spokesman noted that William had been moved by their courage, underscoring the human impact of the conflict.
Majd Alshagnobi's restored smile serves as a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of medical care and the ongoing need for international support for children affected by conflict in Gaza.
