The parents-in-law of Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf have made it out of Gaza after four weeks of a “living nightmare”.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla travelled to the Palestinian enclave to visit family but were unable to return home after the conflict erupted on 7 October.
A statement from Mr Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla said the couple were able to leave 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,” the statement said.
“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.
“Although we feel a sense of deep personal relief, we are heartbroken at the continued suffering of the people of Gaza.”
They reiterated their calls for all sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire, for hostages to be released and the opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow aid and fuel “to flow” into the region.
“Families in Gaza and Israel are suffering after the loss of entirely innocent men, women and children,” the statement added.
“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.”
Read more:
Briton tells of ‘chaos’ in leaving Gaza as he becomes among first to flee
What social media videos and satellite images tell us about the number of dead in Gaza
The Israeli military knocked out communications in Gaza last weekend cutting families off from each other.
When services were restored on Sunday morning, the first minister heard from his in-laws but feared for the pair’s safety as they had run out of drinking water.
The Foreign Office said the first British nationals left Gaza for Egypt on Wednesday as UK teams on the ground provided assistance.
It did not specify how many Britons had crossed the Rafah border.
