Some Gazan children have been brought privately to the UK for medical treatment through an initiative by Project Pure Hope. But the UK government, until now, had not evacuated any through its own scheme during the conflict.

Neil Gray said: “I am pleased to confirm that the first two patients and their families have now arrived in Scotland where they will receive treatment.

“Scotland has been pushing the UK government to do more, and it is welcome they have worked with partners to ensure the first group of Gazan child patients and their families arrived safely.

“This initial support is a small step towards restoring some humanity to the catastrophic situation in Gaza as a result of the Israeli government’s actions.”

He said the Scottish government had been working closely with the health boards that will be treating patients and the local authorities that will accommodate their families to ensure they have somewhere to live and receive the “essential support they need”.

“This is a sensitive process – clearly these child arrivals from Gaza will have complex care needs and their safety and wellbeing are our top priority,” he said.

“It is important these families are afforded with the privacy and support they need and we will not be releasing any other information about the patients.”