Family in Gaza Faces Desperation as Crisis Deepens

Humza Yousaf and his wife, Nadia El-Nakla, have expressed profound anguish over the dire situation facing their family members in Gaza. Speaking to STV News on October 10, 2023, they described an overwhelming sense of helplessness as relatives struggle to survive amid escalating violence and shortages of food in the region.

El-Nakla shared heart-wrenching details about her family’s predicament, revealing that her cousin, Sally, alongside her husband and their four children, remains trapped in Gaza. “She feels like they’re going to die, and they’re just desperate to leave,” El-Nakla said. The emotional toll of the conflict is palpable, as daily communications with her cousin offer little comfort. El-Nakla noted, “I send Sally a voice note through Instagram pretty much every day, but it’s really hard because what they want to hear is that we can get you out, and I can’t.”

The couple’s concerns were intensified by a recent tragedy in El-Nakla’s family. Her father’s 44-year-old cousin was shot in the stomach and subsequently run over by a tank while seeking food for his family. “That’s been really devastating. He was one of my dad’s closest cousins,” she recounted. “He didn’t need to die. There was no reason he got killed in the street trying to get food for his family. You wouldn’t treat an animal that way. It’s difficult to comprehend.”

Calls for Action

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted public figures such as John Swinney to label the situation as a “genocide.” Swinney made this statement following protests at a recent event where pro-Palestinian demonstrators voiced their concerns. Yousaf acknowledged that the First Minister is “doing what he can” to raise awareness and apply pressure on the UK Prime Minister regarding the crisis. He emphasized the need for “meaningful action” from the UK and other governments, urging them to impose sanctions on Israel and halt arms sales.

Yousaf stated, “We need them to make sure Israel is isolated in the same way that apartheid South Africa was a number of years ago. That’s the only way Israel will change its stance.”

As the situation deteriorates, over 100 aid agencies have warned of a looming “mass starvation” crisis in Gaza, with accusations against Israel for not allowing sufficient food and supplies into the region. Reports indicate that dozens of Palestinians were killed or injured on October 9, 2023, as they attempted to reach food distribution points amid the chaos. According to local health officials, many have fallen victim to Israeli fire while seeking aid.

Yousaf remarked, “People are slowly being killed. They know today is worse than yesterday, and they fear that tomorrow will be even worse than today. Every day is progressively getting even worse.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have disputed claims regarding the death toll, asserting that they have only fired warning shots. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to convene his Security Cabinet to discuss the next phase of military action in Gaza, suggesting that intensified operations may be on the horizon.

The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to elicit strong reactions from individuals and organizations worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support.