Humza Yousaf says family forced to flee homes in Gaza again

Mr Yousaf’s parents-in-law were also trapped in the enclave when the fighting broke out last year

Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf. PA

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Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has said that members of his family who live in the Gaza Strip have had to flee their home again.

The cousin of his wife Nadia El-Nakla was told to evacuate Mr Yousaf’s father-in-law’s house with her children amid the Israel-Gaza war.

Ms El-Nakla’s cousin Sally, her husband and four children had been staying at the house in Deir El Balah, a city in the central Gaza Strip.

Their previous home in another part of Gaza had been destroyed earlier in the war.

Mr Yousaf’s parents-in-law were trapped in Gaza when the fighting broke out after the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.

Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla were able to return to Scotland in November after being allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing, but other members of Nadia El-Nakla’s family remain in the Palestinian enclave.

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“Nadia’s cousin and family were told to evacuate my father-in-law’s house in Gaza where they’re taking refuge," Mr Yousaf posted on X.

“No Hamas. Just innocent men, women and children now looking for a cart for their possessions, hoping to survive another day.

“Somehow, the world watches on, incapable of humanity.”

The SNP former first minister shared an Instagram story posted by his wife.

“My cousin Sally is in Gaza she has evacuated/been displaced more than 10 times," she wrote.

“Her flat in Hamad city was destroyed and she had been living at my dad's house in Deir El Balah. Yesterday her husband had an operation. She has four kids.

“Today my dad's house and my extended family received an evacuation order. They have no place to go. Sally is looking for a cart to carry blankets. My heart is (broken). May God protect them.”

Another post on her Instagram referred to “targeting” of the house.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated during the conflict and Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 40,200 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, when the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel took 1,200 lives.