Prince William has said he wants “to see an end to the fighting” and “permanent peace” in Israel and Palestine in a major royal intervention on the conflict. The Prince of Wales also added that it’s “critical” that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza and that Hamas release remaining hostages in a statement issued today.
The October 7 raids by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel, with around 250 taken hostage. Militants still hold around 130 hostages and a quarter of them are believed to be dead.
Almost 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict, with the Israeli military bombing Gaza and civilians blocking aid from entering Palestine.
William made the powerful statement ahead of a series of engagements to recognise the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The heir to the throne said: “I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
“Too many have been killed. I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible.
“There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released.
“Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.
“Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that.”
Earlier today it was revealed that the Prince and Princess of Wales would “hold all the victims” of the Gaza war in their hearts and minds.
The Prince said in 2018 that peace in the Middle East would be his lifelong project, when he was the first royal to visit Israel and Palestine.
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