**Desperate Measures: Two Palestinian Girls Find Hope in the UK**
In a heartwarming and desperate move, two Palestinian girls with serious medical conditions have been brought to the United Kingdom for urgent treatment. Ghena, 5, and Rama, 12, were flown into the country on Saturday from Egypt, marking the first temporary UK visas granted to Gazan children since the war between Hamas and Israel began in October 2023.
The girls’ journey to the UK is a testament to the devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza’s healthcare system. Both Ghena and Rama suffer from pre-existing medical conditions that cannot be treated in the war-torn region. Ghena, for example, has an optic nerve condition that requires surgery to save her left eye, while Rama suffers from a lifelong bowel disorder.
Their stories are all too familiar in Gaza, where thousands of children are struggling with injuries and illnesses that require urgent medical attention. The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals and medical facilities severely damaged or destroyed by the ongoing conflict.
The girls’ families, like many others in Gaza, have been left to face impossible choices. Rama’s mother, Haneen, recalls the desperation of watching her daughter weaken day by day without access to proper treatment. “I hope that she gets better here,” she says, echoing the hopes of countless parents who are desperate for their children to receive the medical care they need.
The UK visa granted to Ghena and Rama is a glimmer of hope in these dark times. The girls’ treatment has been secured through a partnership between Project Pure Hope (PPH), a non-profit organization, and PCRF (Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund). These organizations worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to secure private funding for the girls’ treatment.
This is not an isolated incident, however. According to PPH chairwoman Vivian Khalaf, over 200 children have been relocated to the US for medical treatment through a similar initiative. The WHO has described the conditions in Gaza’s hospitals as “beyond descriptions,” with thousands of children and families affected by the conflict.
The story of Ghena and Rama serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. As we hear their stories, we are forced to confront the reality of a healthcare system on the brink of collapse and the desperate measures that people are taking to access medical care.
