Humza Yousaf’s in laws cleared to escape Gaza via Rafah crossing

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf’s parents in law have been given permission to use the Rafah crossing out of Gaza today after weeks trapped in the war zone.

The Scottish National Party leader’s in laws Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla were in Gaza when Hamas launched its surprise attacks on Israel on October 7, stranding them in the region. Yousaf announced earlier this week that they had run out of clean water.

The couple live in Dundee, Scotland, and were staying with relatives including several young grandchildren during the blockade. Elizabeth El-Nakla and her daughter Nadia — Yousaf’s wife — had described the deteriorating conditions in Gaza during their ordeal.

The Rafah crossing into Egypt opened for the first time Wednesday, with a list of foreign passport holders permitted to use the route agreed following a deal between Israel, Egypt and Hamas brokered by Qatar.

A limited number of wounded Palestinian civilians were also permitted to enter Egypt through the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment.

Yousaf has criticized the U.K’s response to the violence in Gaza, saying “Our U.K. government should be using its trusted position as an ally of the government of Israel to be calling for an end to collective punishment. They should be at the forefront saying that the life of a Palestinian is the same as the life of an Israeli.”

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