Dozens of Palestinian students trapped in Gaza are set to begin studies at British universities after the UK government announced plans to help evacuate them from the war-torn territory.
The Foreign and Education Secretaries confirmed that around 40 Gazan students will be allowed to travel to the UK in the coming weeks to take up fully funded scholarships, including nine recipients of the prestigious Chevening scheme for postgraduate study.
Officials said the initiative highlights the UK’s commitment to Gaza’s future, stressing the potential of these students to play a leading role in rebuilding their communities after the war. “This support recognises their potential role as leaders in the reconstruction of Gaza and the building of a better future for Israelis and Palestinians,” a government statement said, underscoring the ambition to build lasting positive ties.
The students will be the first group from Gaza to study in Britain since the Hamas–Israel war erupted in October 2023. Their departure, however, remains subject to Israeli approval.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the programme as a symbol of resilience and determination. “The conflict in Gaza has had an appalling impact on education, with many children entirely unable to access schooling. Despite that, students in Gaza have shown incredible resilience and unwavering determination to pursue their studies against an appalling backdrop of death, destruction and famine,” she said. Cooper thanked Jordan and other international partners for helping secure safe passage for the students, adding that education would be central to postwar reconstruction.
The evacuation process is fraught with logistical obstacles. Students will first be transferred to a third country in the region for visa checks before travelling to Britain. A Home Office source described the plan as “complex and challenging” but insisted there was clear political will to ensure the students take up their places this autumn.
The decision comes after months of pressure from academics, parliamentarians, and advocacy groups on behalf of more than 80 Gazan students who had received offers from UK universities for the 2024–2025 academic year. While the latest announcement covers approximately 40 students, others without funded places remain stranded.
Alongside the education effort, UK authorities are preparing to transfer a group of critically wounded and sick Palestinian children to Britain for medical treatment.
Several European nations, including Italy, Ireland, and France, have also offered evacuation routes for Palestinian students. France, however, suspended its programme earlier this month after a student was accused of making antisemitic remarks online.
The UK’s move comes as relations with Israel continue to sour following London’s declaration that it would recognise a Palestinian state if certain conditions related to the war were not met. Britain continues to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian access to civilians.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 in attacks on southern Israel nearly two years ago. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, and movement in and out of Gaza remains almost entirely impossible without foreign diplomatic intervention.
