Yousaf accepts Trump has been key to Gaza ceasefire talks but voices criticism

Former first minister Humza Yousaf has said he accepts Donald Trump “has played an important role” in Gaza ceasefire talks, but he remains critical of the US president.

Mr Trump said late on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings With Stephen Jardine programme on Thursday, Mr Yousaf was asked if he accepts the US president is helping bring about peace.

“I find this question really difficult because of the role the US administration has played in funding, arming and giving impunity to the very administration and government that has committed a genocide against Palestinian people,” the former first minister said.

“It is akin to… there’s an individual who provides matches and petrol to the arsonist and then asks for praise when he puts out the fire.”

However, he continued: “I’m not negating the fact that Donald Trump has played an important role, I think credit should also be given to the state of Qatar, who were just a few weeks ago bombed by one of the parties in this conflict but they still held steadfast to the belief and tried to bring people together.

“I accept genuinely that Donald Trump has had a role, but also let’s not erase the fact that he and his administration have funded to the tune of billions the Israel genocidal actions.”

The news comes just days after the second anniversary of October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militant group Hamas struck inside Israel and sparked the current conflict.

Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the Hamas incursion, and around 250 people were taken as hostages into Gaza.

Israel’s military campaign, launched in retaliation, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, has devastated Gaza and revealed fault lines in global politics.

Hamas is planning to release the 20 living hostages it still has in captivity, and in exchange Israel will free Palestinian prisoners it has in detention.

Mr Yousaf’s wife Nadia El-Nakla has family who have been living in Gaza over the past two years of conflict.

He told the programme: “We had Nadia’s cousin messaging almost begging us to confirm that it was true that a ceasefire was on the verge of happening.

“Obviously we are saying let’s wait to see because you can imagine what it must feel like for every Gazan, even the remotest possibility of just being able to have food and water and bread when you’ve been starved for six months.

“It must be beyond words, I don’t even think I can find the words of what the feeling of potential peace must feel like.

“They should be allowed to have hope given everything they’ve endured. I can’t imagine genuinely what it must feel like having survived two years of a genocide – people dispute the term and I don’t think there’s any disputing just how horrifically violent the last two years have been for the people of Gaza.”

He said people in Gaza “long for the day to sleep” without drones overhead.

“When you hear those explosions, wondering if the next one you hear is the one that kills you, just not having to worry about that and sleep with your children knowing that they’ll wake up safe the next morning. You can’t put a price on that.”