logo
Pope Francis's popemobile to become health clinic for Gaza children

Pope Francis's popemobile to become health clinic for Gaza children

The National05-05-2025
It was one of his final wishes, the Vatican's official media outlet said on Sunday.
The vehicle, which was used by the late pontiff during his 2014 visit to the Middle East, is being outfitted with diagnostic and emergency medical equipment.
He entrusted the initiative to Catholic aid organisation Caritas Jerusalem in the months before his death.
READ MORE: Large convoy of Belgian army vehicles spotted near Scottish town
"This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed," Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, said.
"It's not just a vehicle," Brune added. "It's a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza."
It comes as Israel has approved plans to capture the entire Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time.
Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in mid-March, Israel has unleashed fierce strikes on the territory that have killed hundreds. It has captured swathes of territory and now controls roughly 50% of Gaza.
Before the truce ended, Israel halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food, fuel and water, setting off what is believed to the be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war.
Israel's brutal war on Gaza has killed more than 52,000 people, many of them women and children.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'They thought I was dead': Boy who lost his jaw in Gaza explosion brought to UK for surgery
'They thought I was dead': Boy who lost his jaw in Gaza explosion brought to UK for surgery

ITV News

time3 hours ago

  • ITV News

'They thought I was dead': Boy who lost his jaw in Gaza explosion brought to UK for surgery

Majid al-Shagnobi requires major facial reconstruction following the explosion, as ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent reports A 15-year-old Palestinian boy who lost his jaw and all of his teeth in an explosion in Gaza is now being treated in the UK. Majid al-Shagnobi suffered severe facial injuries in February 2024 when Israeli tank shells exploded near him and a group of friends. He was trying to get humanitarian aid. Before Gaza's latest, most brutal war, Majd was simply the eldest of four brothers. Now, he's one of countless children caught in the crossfire of Israel and Hamas' conflict. The doctors in Gaza managed to save his life - but only after they had decided there was nothing they could do. Speaking through a translator, Majd told ITV News that when he first arrived at the hospital, his injuries were so severe that they thought he was dead. 'I remember them putting me in the mortuary," Majd said. "I managed to move my arm, though, and they realised I was still alive.' Even after that, his mother, Islem Felfel, recalls that doctors thought his case was hopeless. They told her Majd might only have days to live. One hospital refused to admit him. But now, Majd has a chance to fully restore his face, thanks to Project Pure Heart, a charity run by a group of healthcare professionals dedicated to bringing critically ill children from Middle East conflict zones to the UK for treatment. They are using charitable donations to pay privately for the reconstructive surgery Majd needs, and to house him, his mum Islem, one of his brothers and his little sister while they're here. Islem speaks of the pride she has in the courage her son has shown. But the trauma for her family goes on. Two of her sons, Mohammad and Yusuf, remain in Gaza with their dad. It's difficult for her to communicate with them; she doesn't know if they have had anything to eat today. "My heart is split between here and there," she said. Majd was flown into London on Wednesday night, but many other children in Gaza with critical conditions won't be so lucky. Omar Din, a co-founder of Project Pure Hope, highlighted that the UK lags behind European countries like Italy in taking children directly from Gaza. Majd's family had to come through Egypt. Mr Din emphasised that the project is apolitical but said that the government could do more "if they have the will and they have the momentum". Majd's family have a yearlong visa, which is meant to cover the time it will take for him to undergo and recover from surgery. Then the charity plans to resettle them in Egypt or Jordan. When ITV News asked Majd about what he hopes for now, he said simply to learn and to work. He regards himself as the man of the house now. While their time in London offers a chance to play and live in peace, he is determined to provide for his family's new future.

Scots chemist believes drugs to treat Alzheimer's will be available in five years
Scots chemist believes drugs to treat Alzheimer's will be available in five years

Daily Record

time6 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Scots chemist believes drugs to treat Alzheimer's will be available in five years

Professor David MacMillan won the Nobel Prize in 2021. A Scots chemist believes drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease will be available within five years. ‌ Professor David MacMillan, 57, who is originally from North Lanarkshire, said "phenomenal things" are happening within medical research into neurological diseases. ‌ He won a Nobel Prize after developing a new way of building molecules, leading to developments in drugs for Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease. ‌ MacMillan told the BBC: "I would bet my house that within five years that we have marketed drugs for Alzheimer's. "My father died of vascular dementia and my aunt had dementia. I think that's such a horrible way to go." ‌ The Princeton University professor said winning the Nobel Prize in 2021 has made a massive impact on his life. "On a Tuesday morning, I was a chemist that nobody, including half my pals, had been interested in talking to," he said. "Then on the Wednesday, I was talking to like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. "It was crazy - and I thought it would slow down but it just keeps on going." MacMillan was awarded a half share of £842,611 and used it to set up The May and Billy MacMillan Foundation, named after his parents, where he funds Scottish students, providing educational opportunities to underprivileged young people.

Trump envoy arrives in Israel amid rising death toll of Palestinians seeking aid
Trump envoy arrives in Israel amid rising death toll of Palestinians seeking aid

Leader Live

time6 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Trump envoy arrives in Israel amid rising death toll of Palestinians seeking aid

The White House said Steve Witkoff and US ambassador Mike Huckabee will inspect food distribution in Gaza on Friday. At least 91 Palestinians were killed and more than 600 wounded while attempting to get aid in the past 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This includes 54 people killed in shootings in a deadly incident in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday, the ministry said. The toll is expected to rise further as many of those killed or wounded were brought to isolated, smaller hospitals in northern Gaza and have not yet been counted. The Israeli military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and the Israeli military fired warning shots into the crowd, but that it is not aware of any injuries stemming from Israeli fire. A security official said the gunfire came from within the crowd and altercations between Palestinians attempting to access aid. Mr Trump's special envoy Mr Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon. He is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a possible ceasefire, according to an official. This is the first meeting between Mr Witkoff and Mr Netanyahu since both Israel and the US summoned their negotiation teams home from Qatar one week ago. Mr Witkoff said at the time Hamas's latest response 'shows a lack of desire' to reach a truce. Hamas started the war with its attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. It still holds 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The UN and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. In Jerusalem, about 50 people, including families of some of the approximately 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, demonstrated on Thursday in front of Mr Netanyahu's office calling for an end to the war. Under heavy international pressure, Israel announced a series of measures over the weekend to facilitate the entry of more international aid to Gaza, but aid workers say much more is needed. The Israeli defence body in charge of co-ordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, and 32 pallets of aid were airdropped into the Strip. That amount is far lower than the 500 to 600 trucks per day that aid organisations say are needed. The international community has heaped criticism on Israel over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. International organisations said Gaza has been on the brink of famine for the past two years, but that recent developments, including a complete blockade on aid for two-and-a-half months, mean that the 'worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza'. German foreign minister Johann Wadephul was due in Israel later on Thursday on a two-day trip that will also take him to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Germany, traditionally a particularly staunch ally of Israel, has been increasingly critical recently of Israel's actions in Gaza. It has insisted that Israel must do more to increase aid supplies and pushed for a ceasefire. Berlin has not joined major allies France, Britain and Canada in saying it will recognise a Palestinian state in September. But in a statement ahead of his departure on Thursday, Mr Wadephul underlined Germany's position that a two-state solution is 'the only way' to ensure a future in peace and security for people on both sides. 'For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state stands rather at the end of the process. But such a process must begin now. Germany will not move from this aim. Germany also will be forced to react to unilateral steps,' Mr Wadephul said without elaborating.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store