Gaza PhD student and family evacuated to UK after Foreign Office U-turn

"As part of a UK crackdown on immigration, most international students have been prevented from bringing their dependants. Shortly after Houbi's story, the UK government made a U-turn on its policy, stating it would support the evacuation of dependants on a case-by-case basis. Houbi and her family have now reached Jordan and will shortly travel to the UK. They are the only family travelling together from Gaza whose evacuation the British government has facilitated."

"Most students have had no choice but to leave their families behind, while others have simply refused to take up their places. Set to expire on 31 December 2025, the UK's Gaza evacuation scheme has been described by students as beset by delays, poor communication and uncertainty. It has left students stuck in Gaza, where conditions have deteriorated amid floods, escalating food shortages and disease."

"Some told the Guardian that they felt pressure from the UK government to travel without their children despite the recent policy change stating they could bring them. When Wahhaj Muhammad, 32, was advised by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to consider evacuating alone, he believed his family would soon follow. But two months have passed, and his wife and two children remain trapped in Gaza with no clear timeline or assurances from the UK on when they will join him."

Manar al-Houbi and her family were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan and will shortly travel to the UK after the British government facilitated their case. The government previously denied most international students the right to bring dependants under an immigration crackdown but later announced a case-by-case reversal allowing dependent evacuations. Many students were forced to leave families behind or declined offers to study because of separation. The Gaza evacuation scheme, expiring 31 December 2025, has been criticized for delays, poor communication and uncertainty. Students remain trapped amid floods, food shortages and disease, and some feel pressured to travel without their children.

Read at www.theguardian.com