First Minister's relatives get permission to escape Gaza
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla are on the list to cross into Egypt
Last updated 3rd Nov 2023
The in-laws of Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, who've been trapped in Gaza since the start of the latest fighting between Hamas and Israel have been granted permission to leave, according to a list published by the Palestinian Border Authority.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, from Dundee, have been named among 92 British nationals who will be permitted to pass through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.
The couple travelled to Gaza to visit family prior to the conflict erupting and have been trapped there since.
Food and water running out
Mr Yousaf's wife, Nadia El-Nakla, has reported her parents were without clean drinking water and faced "rapidly diminishing supplies".
READ MORE: First Minister's fears as drinking water runs out
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.
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 living nightmare
A statement from First Minister Humza Yousaf and Nadia El-Nakla: "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.
"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.
Continued calls for a ceasefire
"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."
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