Humza Yousaf has confirmed that his wife Nadia’s parents left Gaza through the Rafah crossing this morning.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, from Dundee, travelled to the territory to visit family before Hamas’s attack on Israel and have been stuck there since.
A statement from Mr Yousaf and his wife 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 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 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.”
Mr Yousaf 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.”
