Scotland’s First Minister, whose family was trapped in Gaza, may resign: Report

Scotland’s Humza Yousaf, whose in-laws were trapped in the war-torn Gaza Strip for nearly a month in October last year, is considering quitting as First Minister, UK media outlets reported.

The development comes after Yousaf, last week said he intended to fight a vote of no confidence called by political opponents after he decided to withdraw from a coalition agreement.

He also said he tried to run a minority government.

A final decision on the minister’s resignation was yet to be taken, BBC news reported citing a source close to the minister.

According to the Times, former Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has been approached by senior party figures to become an interim First Minister in the event of Yousaf being forced from office.

The report also claimed Swinney was reluctant to step up because of personal circumstances.

If Yousaf loses, the Scottish Parliament would have 28 days to choose a new first minister before an election was forced.

In November last year, Yousaf on X announced the safe return of his family from Gaza.

He described the time his family spent there as “traumatic”.

In the past, the 38-year-old Scotland’s First Minister expressed concerns about his wife’s parents in Gaza.

The region has been in the face of a relentless Israeli offensive as retaliation over the Hamas terrorist group’s October 7 attack.