Under Fire
My Family’s Escape from Gaza and The Cost of Leadership
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Under Fire
Narrated by:
Humza Yousaf
Buy Now for ₹649.64
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Narrated by:
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Humza Yousaf
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Written by:
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Humza Yousaf
Gary Lineker
'Deeply moving'
Annie Lennox
'A brave and moving book of impressive moral clarity'
William Dalrymple
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When Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, got a call from Gaza on the morning of 7 October 2023, he feared the worst. His wife's parents, Elizabeth and Maged, had been visiting the Palestinian territory to see Maged's sick Palestinian mother. Now, after the Hamas terrorist attack, they were caught in Israel's furious onslaught.
Under Fire tells the story of Yousaf's month-long nightmare as he tried desperately to get his in-laws out of Gaza and back home to Dundee. With the British government ignoring his pleas for help, he had to coordinate with other countries to get Elizabeth and Maged across the Rafah border into Egypt. While supporting his wife and children as they waited for daily updates from Elizabeth on her battle for survival, Yousaf also had to lead the whole of Scotland - as well as reassure the nation's traumatised Jewish community. All while responding to online attacks.
As well as documenting his in-laws' escape from Gaza, Under Fire also tells the story of how a son of immigrants grew up to become the first Muslim leader of a Western European country. Yousaf also tells of his fears on the rise of far-right populism and how to combat the forces that seek to divide us. The book draws back the curtain to give an honest account of how true leadership means reconciling personal loyalties with public duty, and how, in a world riven with conflict, it is more important than ever that leaders under pressure maintain their humanity and empathy for all.
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PRAISE FOR UNDER FIRE . . .
'Under Fire reminds us that beyond borders, politics and identities lies our shared humanity. Everyone should read this book to understand the deep human connection between people in the West and in Palestine - Ahmed Alnaouq, co-author of We Are Not Numbers
'Gripping... vigorous and sometimes inspiring' The Scotsman
'A shattering account narrated with frankness, emotional intelligence and political courage' Rachel Shabi, author of Off-White: The Truth About Antisemitism
'This book is a powerful testimony to what fortitude looks like and what courage can be when cowardice surrounds you. What love looks like when hate is rewarded. Under Fire is an essential read for all of us right now' Misan Harriman
'A must for anyone who cares about the humans behind the headlines' Nicola Thorp©2026 Humza Yousaf (P)2026 Little, Brown Book Group Limited
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Critic Reviews
Gripping... vigorous and sometimes inspiring
"A shattering account narrated with frankness, emotional intelligence and political courage"
This is an unflinching and candid account of a life lived under excessive pressure and scrutiny. As a Scot, it makes me proud to know that we have had a political leader with genuine principles, standards and ethics, who has never sold out, or exploited their position of power in politics. A fascinating and deeply moving insight into an extraordinary life
This book is a powerful testimony to what fortitude looks like and what courage can be when cowardice surrounds you. What love looks like when hate is rewarded. Under Fire is an essential read for all of us right now.
A must for anyone who cares about the humans behind the headlines (Nicola Thorp)
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