HUMZA Yousaf has said his brother-in-law in Gaza remains stuck in a “petrifying” situation as Israeli bombing continues following the end of a week-long pause in fighting.
The director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the resumption of Israeli bombing in Gaza was causing hospitals to be overrun.
Speaking on X/Twitter, he said: “The reports of ongoing hostilities and heavy bombardment in #Gaza are petrifying.
“Yesterday our team visited Nassar Medical Hospital in the south. It was packed with 1000 patients – 3 times over its capacity.
“Countless people were seeking shelter, filling every corner of the facility.
“Patients were receiving care on the floor, screaming in pain. These conditions are beyond inadequate – unimaginable for the provision of health care.
“I cannot find words strong enough to express our concern over what we’re witnessing.
“Ceasefire. NOW.”
The First Minister reacted to Ghebreyesus’s comments, stating that his brother-in-law is working in Nassar Medical Hospital.
“This is the hospital my brother-in-law works in,” Yousaf said on X/Twitter.
“I was able to message him last night and as @DrTedros says the situation is petrifying.
“There can be no equivocation at a time of such inhumanity – there must be a ceasefire.
“Stop the killing of innocent civilians”.
It comes as the Israeli military shifts its focus to launching an offensive in southern Gaza.
During the early days of the conflict, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) encouraged millions of Palestinians to flee to from the north into the south.
However, there are now concerns that areas previously regarded by the Israeli Government as “safe” could quickly become war zones.
Widespread shortages of food and water are also being reported by aid agencies.
