Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf on Wednesday said his country was ready to offer asylum to the people of Gaza.

The First Minister of Scotland, who leads the cabinet, holds an office equivalent to that of the Prime Minister.

“In the past people in Scotland and across the UK have opened our hearts and our homes. We have welcomed those from Syria, from Ukraine, and many other countries, and we must do so again,” Yousaf said.

Called upon the international community to commit to a worldwide refugee programme for people of Gaza, he said, “There are currently 1 million people displaced within Gaza. Therefore, I am calling today on the international community to commit to a worldwide refugee programme for the people of Gaza.”

“I am calling on the UK government to take two urgent steps. Firstly, they should immediately begin work on the creation of a refugee resettlement scheme for those in Gaza who want to, and are able to, leave,” Yousaf added.

“And when they do so, Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to those who are caught up in these terrible attacks,” he further said.

Yousaf was elected as Scotland’s leader in March 2023 and became the first Muslim to lead the country.