The Scottish first minister’s parents-in-law have arrived in Scotland after fleeing Gaza.
The dad and mom of Humza Yousaf‘s spouse, Nadia El-Nakla, left the besieged enclave on Friday by the Rafah border crossing.
Sharing a photograph of his household on X, Mr Yousaf wrote: “I am pleased to say my in-laws are safe and back home.
“We are, in fact, elated, however my father-in-law mentioned, ‘My coronary heart is damaged in two, and with my mum, son & grandchildren in Gaza.’
“He then broke down telling me how hard it was saying goodbye to them.”
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla had travelled to Gaza to go to household however have been unable to return dwelling after the battle erupted on 7 October.
In an announcement on Friday, the household mentioned: “These last four weeks have been a living nightmare for our family, we are so thankful for all of the messages of comfort and prayers that we have received from across the world, and indeed from across the political spectrum in Scotland and the UK.”
Their exit from Gaza comes as Deputy Prime Minster Oliver Dowden confirmed to Sky News this morning that greater than 100 British nationals have now made it by the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
However he mentioned it was “disappointing” that the very important crossing was closed yesterday, “meaning we couldn’t get more out”.
“We are making representations at every level to reopen the crossing and I am hopeful we will achieve that,” he added.
Mr Yousaf has beforehand spoken to Sky News concerning the expertise of his household in Gaza because it continues to return underneath heavy bombardment from Israel.
It was confirmed on Friday that Mr Yousaf parents-in-law had made it out of Gaza after 4 weeks of a “living nightmare”.
He mentioned his parents-in-law have been “incredibly traumatised” after spending “almost four weeks in a war zone” and that it will take them “some time to recover”.
He additionally described the impression on his personal family, saying he was “hugely relieved” that they’d been capable of make it out of Gaza and that it was a “special moment” for him to inform his 14-year-old daughter that “granny and grandpa are coming home”.
Mr Yousaf is one among quite a few UK politicians to name for a ceasefire in Gaza, the place he mentioned “innocent men women and children…are suffering unimaginable horror”.
In a letter to UK political leaders final week, the primary minister mentioned “the killing of innocent civilians can never be justified, wherever it occurs”.
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“Israel, like every other country, has a right to protect itself from attack, but in doing so it must comply with international law,” he mentioned.
“We should stand together and united in unequivocally calling on all parties to commit to an immediate ceasefire to allow a humanitarian corridor to be opened, so that lifesaving supplies can get into Gaza and innocent civilians who want to leave be given safe passage out.
“The scenario in Gaza is on the level of being cataclysmic. All of us should do every part we will to forestall that. There have to be no extra dithering, or delay, collectively we should name for a right away ceasefire.”
Mr Yousaf has been joined by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and London mayor Sadiq Khan, who have all defied Sir Keir Starmer in calling for a ceasefire.
The Labour leader has instead backed a humanitarian pause to allow aid into Gaza, saying a ceasefire was not the “right” approach and would only “embolden” Hamas.
Source: information.sky.com”