A Palestinian academic studying in the UK, Bassem Abudagga, failed to reunite with his family trapped in Gaza after the UK Home Office rejected his urgent visa request. The Home Office said his wife must attend a visa application centre (VAC) in Gaza for fingerprinting, but no such centre exists due to Israeli bombardments. Despite a fragile ceasefire, Abudagga’s wife and two children live in harsh conditions in a tent near the sea after their home was destroyed. The Home Office stated there was no "sufficiently compelling" reason to waive the VAC attendance and linked the decision to national and border security interests. Abudagga said, "When I read that they link bringing my family to the UK with UK security...I simply could not believe in British values and norms any more." His wife urged him to focus on his studies, feeling the UK will never bring them together. The UK team also considered Abudagga’s planned return to Gaza and said it was appropriate for the children to remain with their mother there until circumstances improve. Human rights lawyers from Leigh Day condemned the decision as unlawful and plan to challenge it. Abudagga’s local MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, requested the Home Office to reconsider, but the rejection stands. The case highlights stricter UK immigration policies amid rising political pressure and ongoing suffering in Gaza.