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The UK government has recently approved plans to allow approximately 40 students from Gaza to travel to the UK in order to pursue funded university scholarships. Among them, nine students have been selected to receive assistance to leave Gaza and study under the Chevening scheme, which is primarily government-funded and aimed at international students pursuing one-year master’s degrees. Additionally, around 30 other students with fully funded scholarships from private schemes will also be helped to come to the UK. They would be the first group of students to depart Gaza for studies in the UK since the Hamas-Israel conflict began in 2023, pending approval from Israel for their departure.
Tensions have escalated between the UK and Israel after the UK indicated its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in September, specifying certain conditions related to Israel’s actions in Gaza that need to be met. Evacuating students from a conflict zone presents significant logistical challenges, and the students will first be taken to a third country in the region for visa biometric checks before being brought to the UK. While a Home Office source acknowledged the complexity and challenges of the plan, the home secretary has expressed a clear desire for the students to commence their studies in the UK.
This decision follows extensive advocacy efforts by politicians, academics, and others on behalf of more than 80 Palestinian students who have received offers from UK universities this year. While around 40 students are included in the latest approval, there are others who do not have funded scholarship offers. Some students have raised concerns about their safety and the difficulty of leaving behind their loved ones, with fears that they may face life-threatening situations before being able to evacuate. In addition to the student evacuations, the UK government is also arranging for a group of critically ill and injured children to receive medical treatment in the UK.
Several other countries, such as Italy, Ireland, and France, have already conducted evacuations of students from Gaza. However, France halted its evacuation program earlier due to allegations of antisemitic remarks made by a Palestinian student in the country. The conflict in Gaza intensified after Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and ongoing violence, making it difficult for Palestinians to leave the territory without diplomatic intervention
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