UK to evacuate Gaza children; Israeli veterans urge end to war, Democrats back Palestinian state
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The UK government has announced a scheme to evacuate critically ill and injured children from Gaza for NHS treatment, as more than 600 former Israeli security officials called on Donald Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war, while US Democrats urged the administration to recognise a Palestinian state, according to The Guardian.
The British government’s plan, which is expected to be implemented within weeks, will offer lifesaving medical support to children suffering from serious injuries and conditions as a result of Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza. Charities have welcomed the move but expressed concerns over delays, noting that children previously listed for treatment had died while awaiting approval or were forced to seek care in other countries.
The scheme will build upon the efforts of private charities, including Project Pure Hope, which has already facilitated the evacuation of several children to the UK. Campaigners have warned that while hundreds of children remain in urgent need of care, bureaucratic delays continue to put their lives at risk. The World Health Organisation has estimated that around 12,500 patients in Gaza require medical evacuation, yet only a fraction have received international support.
Amid growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, more than 600 former Israeli officials, including ex-heads of Mossad and the Israeli military, have written an open letter urging Trump to use his influence with Netanyahu to push for an end to the war. They argued that Hamas no longer posed a strategic threat to Israel and that only a cessation of hostilities could ensure the safe return of hostages.
Their plea comes as Netanyahu is reportedly considering expanding the Israeli military offensive to seize the entirety of the Palestinian territory. The Israeli Prime Minister is expected to convene his security cabinet to discuss the next phase of the war, which he claims is necessary to achieve a decisive military victory and secure the release of remaining hostages. However, the move appears aimed at placating far-right members of his governing coalition, who continue to oppose any ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a group of Democratic lawmakers in the US, led by Congressman Ro Khanna, has signed a letter urging the Trump administration to officially recognise a Palestinian state. The letter, which is set to be sent after 16 September to coincide with the UN General Assembly, argues that the current humanitarian crisis underscores the urgent need for Palestinian self-determination and calls for a viable two-state solution that guarantees Israel’s security.
Although some Western allies, including France and Canada, have recently pledged to support Palestinian statehood if Israel fails to agree to a ceasefire by September, the Trump administration has opposed such moves, stating that doing so would reward Hamas.
Nonetheless, cracks are emerging in US political support for Israel’s war, as several Democratic senators backed recent resolutions to block arms sales, and even Republican figures have begun to criticise the humanitarian toll.
