
UK-Med, whose NHS–seconded and international medics have operated two field hospitals in Gaza alongside local health workers for over a year, welcomes the Gaza ceasefire and calls for an immediate and significant increase in humanitarian aid.
CEO of UK-Med David Wightwick, CMG, said, “For over a year, UK-Med has been working on the ground in Gaza, providing life-saving medical care to those most in need. Our commitment to supporting the people of Gaza through this unprecedented humanitarian crisis has been unwavering.
“We welcome the news of a ceasefire and urge all parties to ensure it is implemented immediately and fully. The cessation of hostilities is a critical step toward alleviating the immense suffering of civilians caught in the conflict. However, the ceasefire alone is not enough. We call for an immediate and significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, including medical supplies, food, and clean water, to address the devastating consequences of this crisis.”
Since January 2024, UK-Med has been operating in Gaza, deploying two fully operational field hospitals and providing vital support to local hospitals under immense strain. This includes Nasser Hospital, where UK-Med supports the emergency department. Medical teams from the Manchester–based humanitarian organisation have recorded over 335,000 consultations so far, treating ill and injured people side by side with local healthcare workers to deliver critical care in some of the most challenging conditions. The dedication of UK-Med’s NHS seconded staff has been central to these efforts.
Three-year-old Adam, who lost his leg – and both his parents – to an airstrike, is one of thousands of children in need of long-term support. At the field hospital, the UK-Med team are teaching Adam how to walk again after his injury, but their work has been hampered by the lack of prosthetics and restrictions on critical assistive devices such as crutches and walkers.

The ceasefire has brought some hope for Adam, but like many others in Gaza, his future depends on long-term care and lasting peace.
Melanie Johnson, UK-Med’s medical coordinator in Gaza, said:
“Here in Gaza, news of the ceasefire has brought a sense of cautious relief and anticipation for our staff and patients. Despite this welcome news, needs are still enormous and likely to increase as we work to restore and repair the health system in Gaza, which has been effectively obliterated by the conflict. Much of the pre-existing infrastructure has been destroyed, and there are still hundreds of thousands of people depending on critical international support. As access opens up, we can finally reach those who have been isolated for months with minimal healthcare services – Gaza urgently needs more aid.”
Our UK-Med team remains on the ground, delivering life-saving support and ensuring that essential services reach those who need them most. This will continue in the months to come and, while the fighting may have paused, we reiterate the huge humanitarian need that is still unfolding and the requirement for unfettered access to medical supplies.
Notes to Editors
UK-Med has been working in the Gaza Strip since January 2024. It runs two field hospitals in Al Mawasi and Zuwaida respectively, both funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. UK-Med also supports the emergency department at Nasser Hospital with funding from the World Health Organization. UK-Med employs around 600 Palestinian staff in Gaza, supported by a small international team comprising mostly medics.