Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf confirms his wife's parents are among 92 ... trends now
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed his parents-in-law are among 92 Brits able to leave Gaza this morning, ending a weeks' long 'living nightmare' for the family.
Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged – the parents of Mr Yousaf's wife Nadia - were trapped when Israel laid siege to the territory following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, in which the group killed 1,400 people.
The couple - who are from Dundee - travelled to Gaza to visit family prior to the conflict erupting. Since then, Israel has unleashed a ruthless bombardment on the territory, killing thousands of civilians as it targets Hamas terror cells.
There have been serious concerns for their safety, with Mr Yousaf last week taking to social media to say they had lost contact with them amid a telecommunications blackout, leaving them with no information on their well being.
But the SNP leader and his wife confirmed this morning that the couple were among an almost 100-strong group permitted to enter Egypt through the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza.
In a statement they said: '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.'
Mr Yousaf added: 'Although we feel a sense of deep personal relief, we are heartbroken at the continued suffering of the people of Gaza.
Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged – the parents of Mr Yousaf's wife Nadia - were trapped when Israel laid siege to the territory following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, in which the group killed 1,400 people.
'We will continue to raise our voices to stop the killing and suffering of the innocent people of Gaza.
'We reiterate our calls for all sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire, the opening of a humanitarian corridor so that significant amounts of aid, including fuel, can flow through to a population that have suffered collective punishment for far too long, and for all hostages to be released.
'Families in Gaza and Israel are suffering after the loss of entirely innocent men, women and children.
'We pray for them all, and pray that the international community at last focuses on achieving a lasting peace in the region: one that recognises that the rights and lives of Palestinians and Israelis are equal.'
The siege has left food, water, fuel and medical supplies running dangerously low in the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than 2.3
