A 15-year-old boy from Gaza who lost his jaw and teeth in an explosion has regained his smile after treatment by an NHS surgeon. Majd Alshagnobi was collecting humanitarian aid when a tank shell exploded near him in 2024, causing devastating facial injuries.
He became the first injured Palestinian child to be brought to the UK for medical care, arriving last July. Since then, he has undergone several reconstructive operations at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.
Speaking about his progress, Majd said: '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.'
His father, Abu, described the physical and psychological suffering Majd endured before travelling to Britain. 'His condition has improved very much,' he said. 'God willing, his treatment journey will be completed successfully.'
The treatment is funded by Project Pure Hope, a charity of British healthcare leaders. Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan, a paediatric neurologist involved in Majd's care, called on the government to evacuate more injured children, noting that 4,000 are waiting for life-saving operations.
A government spokesman said it had worked with partners to carry out medical evacuations from Gaza to the UK over the autumn, but only 50 children have arrived so far, far short of the 300 promised.
