Three students from Gaza arrive in NI to study, minister says

Caoimhe Archibald said she was "delighted" that the three students had arrived safely into Belfast to begin their studies

Three students recently evacuated from Gaza have arrived in Northern Ireland to study at a Higher Education institution, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said.

It is understood they are among a group of 34 students that arrived in the UK in recent days.

It is the first time since the conflict began that people have been helped to leave the Strip in order to study in the UK.

Archibald said she had been working with the government to ensure students with a scholarship to study here receive "safe and prompt passage".

'Responsibility to do everything we can'

Archibald said the three students who arrived in Northern Ireland on Monday had travelled without their families.

She also said she understands that one more student is due to arrive and that work to ensure the student's safe passage is ongoing, so that they can begin their studies.

She told BBC News NI she was "delighted" the students had arrived safely.

"I think we are all very mindful of what these students have experienced over the past number of years," she said.

The evacuation follows months of campaigning by politicians, academics, and others on behalf of more than 100 Palestinian students holding offers from UK universities this year.

The minister said she was pleased that the students had arrived safely and can now pursue their studies.

"We have a responsibility to do everything we can to support students arriving from Gaza, to be mindful of their wellbeing after what they have lived through over the last two years and ensure that they receive a very warm welcome," she added.

A group of 34 students in Gaza with places at UK universities have been evacuated

All 34 have fully funded scholarships and have received support from the UK government to leave Gaza.

Earlier this year, the Stormont executive agreed to support a UK-wide scheme allowing urgent medical treatment for children from Gaza.

The first of those children arrived last week, but it is understood that none of the first group will be treated in Northern Ireland.