First minister makes contact with family in Gaza

1 year ago 10
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Humza Yousaf

Image caption,

Mr Yousaf said he had had contact from his family for the first time since Friday morning

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf says he has made contact with his family in Gaza following a communications blackout.

Mr Yousaf's parents-in-law have been trapped in the territory since the deadly attacks by Hamas in Israel.

The first minister said he had finally heard from them after two days without any contact.

Mr Yousaf, who reiterated his call for a ceasefire, said they had run out of clean drinking water.

Phone lines and internet connections are slowly returning to Gaza after more than a day of almost total communications blackout.

Connectivity was cut as Israel intensified its bombardment of the territory and began a large ground operation involving tanks and troops.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said is the "second stage" of what he says will be a "long and difficult" war with Hamas.

Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged - the parents of Mr Yousaf's wife Nadia - had travelled from their home in Dundee to Gaza to see a sick relative.

Image source, Yousaf family handout

Image caption,

Elizabeth El-Nakla and Maged El-Nakla were visiting family in Gaza when the Hamas attacks happened

Writing on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, Mr Yousaf said: "We heard from my in-laws in Gaza this morning, they are alive, thank God.

"However, they have run out of clean drinking water.

"The UN resolution must be implemented. We need the violence to stop, and for significant amounts of aid to get through without delay."

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