FIRST MINISTER LOSES CONTACT WITH IN-LAWS TRAPPED IN GAZA STRIP CHAOS

The First Minister yesterday revealed there has been no contact with his in-laws in Gaza since phone and internet networks were targeted by air strikes.

Humza Yousaf said the family had not heard from his wife’s mother or her husband, who are trapped in Gaza, after the heaviest night of bombing since Israel declared war on Hamas three weeks ago. Posting on X/Twitter, he wrote: “Thank you for your good wishes, I’m afraid we have not heard from my in-laws. My concern is for all the innocent people suffering for a crime they did not commit.”

In an apparent reference to the United Nations General Assembly voting for a ceasefire on Friday,

Yousaf added: “If you did not vote for peace, while children are dying, then I don’t know how you sleep at night.”

The UN overwhelmingly called for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas and demanded aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip and protection of civilians. The motion was supported by 120 nations and opposed by 14 – including the US and Israel – while 45 countries, including Australia, the UK, Germany, India and Canada, abstained.

The international calls for Israel and Hamas to halt or suspend fighting to allow aid to reach Palestinians besieged in stricken Gaza and the release of the Israeli hostages seized by Hamas have escalated in recent days as the aerial bombardment intensified.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar are among the politicians calling for a ceasefire.

Rallies in support of the Palestinians and an immediate ceasefire were held in cities around the world , including Edinburgh.