‘Too many killed’: Prince William’s concern at human cost of Gaza conflict

The Prince of Wales has called for an ‘end to fighting as soon as possible’ in rare remarks on Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Prince Williams speaks to an aid worker in Gaza. Picture: Twitter.

Prince William has released a rare statement on the Israel-Hamas conflict, underlining his concern at the “terrible human cost” of the on-going fighting.

The Prince of Wales at the Red Cross. Picture: Twitter.

William made the comments ahead of visits in London this week to recognise the human suffering caused by the war and the global rise in antisemitism.

He is to meet humanitarian aid workers and separately join a synagogue discussion with young people from different communities about antisemitism.

The royal family does not usually comment on international conflicts. William’s father King Charles III is the head of state of the United Kingdom as well as 14 other Commonwealth countries, from Canada to Australia and Jamaica.

His functions are essentially ceremonial and he is not supposed to intervene in political debate.

A statement from The Prince of Wales pic.twitter.com/LV2jMx75DC

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 20, 2024

“I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible,” said the Prince of Wales.

“There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released,” he added.

After a visit to the Red Cross, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the agency is “providing vital humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in the Middle East.”

Prince William meets with the Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah in 2018.

More than four months of relentless fighting in Gaza have flattened much of the coastal territory, pushed 2.2 million people to the brink of famine and displaced three-quarters of the population, according to UN estimates.

Understanding how the @BritishRedCross is providing vital humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Staff and volunteers continue to work day and night to bring life-saving assistance and medical treatment to those who need it most. pic.twitter.com/7OjEQF7zeF

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 20, 2024

The war started when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.

Hamas militants also took about 250 hostages - 130 of whom remain in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.

Prince William with Irsaeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.

Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed more than 29,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

“Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home,” William added.

“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,” he said.

On Wednesday morning (AEDT), Qatar said Hamas had confirmed that it had received the medications for the hostages in Gaza and had begun delivering them.

The confirmation comes a month after Qatar announced that it had successfully brokered an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would see medications delivered to specific hostages in need, as well as medical supplies for Gazan civilians.

Prince William visits the Western Wall in 2018.

AFP