The British government is confronting legal challenges from desperate fathers in the UK who accuse it of abandoning promises to evacuate their families from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Two separate cases have been filed through the law firm Leigh Day, arguing that the government's inaction constitutes an unlawful breach of human rights.
Broken Promises and Legal Action
One father, who was granted humanitarian protection in the UK before the 2023 conflict, revealed he was told by the Foreign Office in August that he would be reunited with his family. This assurance came after they received a positive family reunion decision a month earlier. The government's failure to follow through has forced him to seek court intervention.
"I wished that I didn't have to do this," said the 39-year-old from Gaza City, speaking via a translator. He described the government's response as akin to being released from prison only to be told to return. He fears for his wife, three children, and adopted nephew, who are now living in a tent in al-Zawida and face constant danger.
A Desperate Situation on the Ground
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with the local health ministry reporting a death toll surpassing 67,000. The father reported that his children have been shot at by Israeli forces while trying to access aid and have had basic supplies like flour and rice stolen by gangs. His wife must walk for an hour to find a signal to call him.
Despite government announcements in August to evacuate ill and injured children and in October to allow Palestinian students on UK scholarships to bring their families, these efforts have been limited. Lawyers highlight a critical barrier: the lack of a visa application centre in Gaza. The UK government has reportedly refused to secure assurances from Jordanian authorities to allow families to cross the border for mandatory biometric checks.
A Pattern of Failure and Another Heartbreaking Case
Sarah Crowe, a solicitor at Leigh Day, stated, "The government has turned its back on their commitments to ensure their clients' safe passage despite promising to assist them over two months ago." She emphasised that this differential treatment, where other groups have been evacuated, is considered unjustifiable and unlawful.
In a separate case, another father in the UK is fighting to be reunited with his six children. Although the government agreed to assist the family after a pre-action letter earlier this year, they have since reneged on their word. His family, whose home was bombed, now lives in a tent and relies entirely on charities for food. His daughter has developed blood clots, and his son suffers from breathing difficulties after inhaling phosphorus gas.
"My children were supposed to be here in May," said the father, who fled Gaza in 2018 after being imprisoned and tortured by Hamas. The emotional toll is immense, leaving him feeling tired, drained, and prone to uncontrollable outbursts of crying. Campaigners continue to call for a bespoke evacuation scheme, similar to the one implemented for Ukraine, to address the bureaucratic failures stranding families in conflict zones.
