The Prince of Wales emphasised the need for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and the immediate release of hostages as the collective death toll in Israel and Palestine surpasses 30,000.
“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,” he wrote on Tuesday.
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. 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.”
The statement was released as he visited the British Red Cross in London.
He participated in a video conference with Red Cross employees in Gaza, where he received vivid firsthand testimonies of their efforts on the ground.
Israel initiated its operations in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 240 individuals being taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, the Israeli military campaign has led to the deaths of 29,000 people in the Palestinian territory.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared similar sentiment, with his spokeswoman saying: “We want to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, so it is consistent with the government position.”
