Prince William Calls for End, In a rare statement about the ongoing crisis, Prince William has urged for an end to combat between Israel and Hamas “as soon as possible”. In a statement released by Kensington Palace on February 20, the 41-year-old Prince of Wales expressed concern over the rising death toll. “I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October,” the statement went on to say.
Prince William Calls for End to Fighting in Gaza ‘as Soon as Possible’ in Rare Statement
Since October 7, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and abducted approximately 240 hostages, Israel’s following military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 29,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and displaced 75% of the population, according to UNRWA data. According to UNRWA, the devastation of infrastructure, hospitals, and sanitation facilities in Gaza has resulted in acute hunger and disease among its citizens.
“I, like so many others, want the violence to end as quickly as possible. Gaza urgently requires further humanitarian assistance. “It is critical that aid arrives and the hostages are released,” he continued.
“When confronted with the enormity of human suffering, the significance of long-term peace can be emphasized. Even at the darkest hour, we must not listen to the counsel of despair. I continue to hold out hope for a better future, and I refuse to give up on that.” The Prince’s remarks came after the United States proposed a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable.” Meanwhile, the Labour Party in the United Kingdom has issued a request for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” for the first time since the new battle began.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has been more consistent in his approach. In December, Sunak advocated for “a sustainable ceasefire, whereby hostages are released, rockets stopped being fired into Israel by Hamas and we continue to get more aid in.”
The Prince plans to hold a series of engagements to highlight the human suffering caused by the ongoing violence in Gaza, as well as to confront the rise in antisemitism. In the next few days, William will meet with organizations delivering humanitarian aid to the region and hear directly from those who have assisted on the ground.
On February 20, the Prince paid a visit to the British Red Cross headquarters in central London. The humanitarian organization has collaborated on aid initiatives with Magen David Adom in Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Next week, he will also visit a London synagogue to engage with young people and Holocaust survivors.
British monarchs and heirs rarely make public pronouncements regarding political events or global crises. In October, William and Kate, Princess of Wales, released their first statement on the crisis, criticizing Hamas.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales are deeply saddened by the tragic events of the past several days. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel are awful; they are completely condemnable,” a spokeswoman for the couple said at the time.
“As Israel implements its right to self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will face sadness, terror, and wrath in the future. “Their Royal Highnesses keep all of the victims, their families, and their friends in their hearts and minds,” the statement continued. In 2018, Prince William became the first member of the royal family to pay an official visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
During the four-day journey, he was greeted in Jerusalem by then-Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. He also met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.
During the trip, the Prince informed Rivlin he hoped “that peace in the area can be achieved.”
