Anwar, who fled Gaza in 2020 and was granted refugee status in the UK in 2021, applied to bring his brother Hassan, Hassan's wife Maryam, their two young children and other family members to the UK in October 2025. The Home Office rejected their application. After the destruction of large areas of Gaza by Israeli forces following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, Anwar sought to reunite his family in Britain. Maryam, who had cancer, later died. Anwar said he believes she would have survived if the visa had been approved.
Gaza refugee says sister-in-law would be alive if Home Office had granted visa
Application to bring family from Gaza rejected in October 2025; woman died of cancer
edit
By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
A man living in Glasgow has said he believes his sister-in-law who died from cancer in Gaza would still be alive if the Home Office had agreed to bring her and her family to Britain, after rejecting their visa application.
§
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Highlights the human impact of UK visa policies on refugees from Gaza.
- Raises questions about the effectiveness and compassion of the UK's family reunion scheme.
- Draws attention to the plight of families separated by conflict and restrictive immigration rules.
Background
The UK has a refugee family reunion policy that allows those granted refugee status to bring certain family members, but strict criteria apply. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, many families in Gaza have sought refuge abroad. Anwar's case is one of several where applications have been refused, leaving families in danger.
Key Perspectives
Anwar (applicant): He believes the Home Office's refusal directly led to his sister-in-law's death. He had hoped to bring his brother's family to safety. Home Office: The application was rejected; specific reasons have not been made public in this report. Observers: This case underscores the difficult choices faced by refugees and the potential consequences of restrictive visa decisions.
What to Watch
- Whether the Home Office reviews its policy for Gaza family reunion applications.
- Potential legal challenges or public campaigns by refugee advocacy groups.
- Other similar cases may emerge, drawing further scrutiny.
Sources
- Gaza refugee says sister-in-law ‘would be alive’ if Home Office had let her come to UK — World news | The Guardian