HUMZA Yousaf’s family may leave Gaza today after they were approved to cross the border into Egypt.
The First Minister’s parents in-law Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla were trapped in the strip after travelling there before the war broke out earlier this month.
Their names have been included on a list of foreign nationals published by the Gaza authorities who are allowed to leave the region, The Times reports.
They are understood to be at the Rafah border crossing which leads into Egypt.
His family were said to have been reduced to drinking seawater after they ran out of clean water.
Yousaf said he had spoken with his mother-in-law on Monday after having previously been unable to get in touch with them when telecommunications were cut last Friday.
On Thursday, Yousaf announced he was sending £250,000 in aid to Gaza, to help provide access to food, water, shelter and medical supplies.
He said: “I have been repeatedly calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, but while we press this vital issue it’s important we support the Palestinian people as much as we can.
“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic which is why I’m pledging this additional funding to support in helping to stop the humanitarian disaster we are witnessing.
“As supplies run out in Gaza, the lives of innocent civilians are at grave risk from a lack of food, water, medical supplies and fuel.
“My thoughts remain with all of those caught in the middle of the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza.
“The killing of innocent civilians can never be justified.”
There are around 670,000 people currently seeking shelter in UNRWA shelters in Gaza.
