HUMZA Yousaf’s mother-in-law has said her life “has changed forever” after being trapped in Gaza during Israel’s bombardment.
Speaking publicly for the first time since her escape from Palestine, Elizabeth El-Nakla said there was a “look of horror” on the her family’s faces when they were having breakfast on October 7 and heard Hamas begin its attack on Israel.
She told Sky News: “We were just sitting, having coffee, tea and having breakfast and we could hear suddenly, a loud whooshing noise. And it was really loud. And then we heard it again and again.”
She added: “This was just something nobody could believe. And the look of horror on everybody in that room. You know, it doesn't matter what side you're on. The look of horror was there.”
Speaking alongside her daughter Nadia El-Nakla, the First Minister’s wife, the Dundonian said she could not believe she had escaped until her papers were processed in Egypt.
The mother-in-law of Scotland's First Minister has told Sky News that the experience of being trapped in Gaza has changed her life forever. Elizabeth El-Nakla spoke exclusively to Sky's @BethRigby. 📺 Sky 501 🕥 Watch the interview in full from 21:30https://t.co/APjxdTikpr pic.twitter.com/UsPMGAYLpg
— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 20, 2023
Elizabeth and husband Maged were trapped in Gaza for nearly a month after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel.
She said: “It didn't feel real until they processed our papers in Egypt for three-and-a-half hours. So then I knew they can't send me back. I'm safe. And you're so tired. I hadn’t slept for 48 hours. I hadn’t slept for nearly three weeks. And you're just so relieved. But you still don't believe it and you're so exhausted.”
She added: “But again, your heart is torn. I left my heart in Gaza and I didn’t bring it home with me.”
Elizabeth said she would not wish what she endured in Gaza on her “worst enemy”.
She said she did not understand the UK’s opposition to calling for a ceasefire, saying: “A ceasefire would benefit both sides.
“I think the UK Government has an opportunity to, as they have done in the past, in the Middle East, is play a bigger piece and to have that role as a real legitimate player for peace.
“While you're not calling for a ceasefire, you can't really be that legitimate voice. So I don't understand the UK Government's position and thankfully Scotland's position is different.”
Elizabeth said while she would like to go back to Gaza at some point, there was “nothing to go back to”.
“Everything's been hit,” she added.
