Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged El-Nakla, who are the in-laws of SNP leader Humza Yousaf, were among 100 British nationals evacuated from Gaza. Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed that they were given permission to cross the border into Egypt from the Gaza Strip. The couple, who live in Dundee, had been visiting Maged El-Nakla’s 92-year-old mother when the conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out. They were able to pass through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, escaping the heavy Israeli bombardment.
The UK Border Force has been present in Egypt for the past two weeks to assist in the evacuation of British citizens. Two British aid workers managed to flee Gaza on Wednesday, and more UK nationals were able to reach Egypt on Thursday. Security minister Tom Tugendhat stated that he couldn’t provide details about the evacuation process, as there were many complexities involved. However, he assured that the UK government, including the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, was committed to ensuring the safety of British citizens and assisting in their evacuation from the dangerous situation in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the health ministry reporting over 9,000 deaths, including 2,000 children, since the start of the conflict. Many civilians have fled Gaza City and other areas to avoid getting caught up in the fighting. Although the Israel Defense Forces have made progress by cutting off Hamas positions, tunnels constructed by Hamas may allow them to evade Israeli encirclement. The Gaza Strip is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 2 million people lacking access to basic necessities such as food, water, and fuel.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has been in contact with officials in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel to address the humanitarian situation and express the UK government’s support for Israel and commitment to a two-state solution. The RAF has delivered essential equipment to Egypt, including forklift trucks and lighting towers, to support the humanitarian effort. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized the UK’s dedication to helping suffering civilians and stated that the armed forces are prepared to continue supporting the ongoing efforts in Gaza.