Euan McColm Euan McColm

The desperate plight of Humza Yousaf’s relatives, trapped in Gaza

Humza Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla (right), whose parents are trapped in Gaza (Credit: Getty images)

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has his flaws as a politician but when it comes to the brutal attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists, his response has been clear, dignified and – given his family’s current circumstances – courageous. Yousaf has risen to the moment.

The SNP leader’s parents-in-law, Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla of Dundee, are currently trapped in Gaza, running out of food and fearful for their lives. The First Minister’s wife, Nadia, is said, unsurprisingly, to be distraught.

Having spent several hours trying to make contact with her parents, in Gaza to visit her elderly grandmother, Ms El-Nakla has been able to speak to her mother who described the impact of Israel’s retaliation to Saturday’s terrorist outrage during which hundreds were murdered.

‘I’m afraid the situation is dire,’ said Yousaf. ‘They had a terrible night. Rockets were falling all around them, the house was shaking, the children were screaming most of the night.

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