HUMZA Yousaf’s in-laws have arrived at the crossing to escape from war-torn Gaza after hellish weeks trapped, fearing for their lives.
A source close to the First Minister confirmed that Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla are on the list to leave the country.
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The in-laws from Dundee have been named among 92 British nationals permitted to pass through the Rafah Border crossing into Egypt.
The list published overnight by the Palestinian Border Authority said those named on it must be “present at 7am in the outdoor halls of the crossing to facilitate their travel”.
A statement from First Minister Humza Yousaf and Nadia El-Nakla said: “We are very pleased to confirm that Nadia’s parents were able to leave Gaza through the Rafah Crossing this morning.
“We are grateful to all of those who have assisted our parents over the last few weeks, including the FCDO crisis team.
“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.”
The Scottish Government said it was not yet in a position to confirm when Nadia’s parents may arrive back in Scotland.
And Nadia continues to have family in Gaza, including her brother, elderly gran and stepmother, who are all Palestinian citizens.
The couple travelled to the region from Dundee earlier this month to visit a sick relative before the conflict broke out and have been unable to leave.
Just days into their trip to Gaza, terror group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing more than 1,400 people and taking 230 hostages.
Since then, Israel has retaliated with air strikes and is expanding its ground offensive in Gaza.
Mr Yousaf’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, claimed her parents were without clean drinking water and faced “rapidly diminishing supplies”.
They added: “Although we feel a sense of deep personal relief, we are heartbroken at the continued suffering of the people of Gaza. 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.”
Since then, Israel has retaliated with air strikes and is expanding its ground offensive in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said it would be “a long war”, as he insisted his country would “not surrender”.
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Mr Yousaf has called for a ceasefire and slated the UK Government for having abstained from a UN resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Gaza, describing it as a “shameful abdication of their moral responsibility.”
On Wednesday, the First Minister welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing which allowed people to leave Gaza, but at the time his in-laws were not among those permitted to do so.
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