Prince William has made an unprecedented royal intervention in the Gaza conflict, issuing a statement saying he is “deeply concerned” about the “human cost” it is causing.
The 41-year-old Prince of Wales stepped up his family's response to the Israel-Hamas war after he and his wife Kate previously issued a joint “emergency” statement.
After taking time off to care for his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, William has gotten back into the habit of public engagements.
Still, in a new and impassioned statement today, he stressed that “too many have been killed” since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
His public reaction is the clearest of any member of the royal family since the Israel-Hamas war broke out.
Prince William has released an impassioned statement saying “too many” have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas
“Their Royal Highnesses hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds,” a spokesman said earlier on behalf of William and Kate (pictured).
William said today: “I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th.” Too many have been killed.
“I, like so many others, want the fighting to end as quickly as possible.” There is an urgent need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It is crucial that help arrives and the hostages are released.
“Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of lasting peace becomes clear.”
“Even in the darkest hour, we must not give in to the advice of despair. “I continue to hold onto the hope that a better future can be found, and I refuse to give up that hope.”
After the attack on Israel last October, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a statement condemning Hamas.
The royal couple said they were “deeply saddened” by what they saw.
A statement released on their behalf said: “As Israel exercises its right to self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be haunted by grief, fear and anger.”
“Their Royal Highnesses carry all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds.”
Prince William met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara during his visit to the country in 2018
The future king shook hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in 2018
The prince visited the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem in 2018
Speaking on behalf of the king, a Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said: “This is a situation that greatly concerns His Majesty and he has asked to be actively kept informed.”
“His thoughts and prayers are with all those suffering, especially with those who have lost loved ones, but also with those who are actively involved at this moment.”
He added: “His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.”
In the October 7 attack, Hamas militants stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people – mostly civilians – while taking an estimated 250 hostage.
Militants are still holding around 130 hostages, a quarter of whom are believed to be dead.
Most of the others were released during a week-long ceasefire in November.
The war has killed at least 29,092 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
About 80 percent of Gaza's population has been forced from their homes and a quarter are facing starvation.
The high death toll and widespread damage have led to growing criticism of Israel and growing calls for a ceasefire.
The United States has proposed a possible United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. This appears to be the latest move by the White House to rein in Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the draft resolution, the US says a temporary ceasefire should come “as soon as possible,” but no date was given.
Washington has previously been averse to the word ceasefire in any UN action related to its ally Israel's war against Hamas.