Scottish leader's in-laws, trapped in Gaza, return to Scotland after weeks of bombardment

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said Sunday that his in-laws, who have been trapped in the Gaza Strip for weeks amid the ongoing bombardment of the besieged enclave, have now returned to Scotland.

Sharing a photo of his family on X, Yousaf wrote that he is pleased to say the parents of his wife, Nadia El-Nakla, are safe and back home.

"We are, of course, elated, but my father-in-law said, 'My heart is broken in two, and with my mum, son & grandchildren in Gaza.' He then broke down telling me how hard it was saying goodbye to them," he added.

Yousaf said that their thoughts remain with those who cannot leave and are trapped in Gaza, reaffirming that they will continue to raise their voices for peace and "to stop the killing of innocent men, women & children in Gaza."

"This has been a traumatic few weeks. I can't begin to tell you the impact it has had on Nadia and our family, particularly my in-laws," said the first minister.

On Friday, Yousaf said he was "hugely relieved" that his wife's parents were able to leave into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, as Israel allowed some dual nationals and people needing medical care to leave the enclave after weeks of living under Israeli attacks.

Yousaf's mother-in-law, Elizabeth El-Nakla, and her husband, Maged, had traveled from Scotland to Gaza prior to the current conflict, which began on Oct. 7, to visit a sick relative in the Palestinian enclave.

Last week the Israeli army expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has faced relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The death toll as a result of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 is 9,770, including 4,800 children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.

Nearly 1,540 Israelis have been killed.