King Charles laments ‘immense pain and suffering’ of Gaza hostages, hopes for their return, in Independence Day letter to Herzog

1 May 2025, 9:28 pm Edit

Britain's King Charles III, left, speaks with President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal during a reception at Buckingham Palace, in London, May 5, 2023 for overseas guests attending his coronation. (Jacob King/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain’s King Charles III writes to President Isaac Herzog to congratulate him on the occasion of Israel’s 77th Independence Day, and says he is praying for the return of the remaining Gaza hostages.

“My wife and I wanted to send Your Excellency and the people of The State of Israel our congratulations on the auspicious occasion of your seventy-seventh Independence Day,” the letter begins.

“We are all too aware of the immense pain and suffering still being endured by those who remain hostage in Gaza,” Charles writes. “Our special thoughts and prayers remain with them and their families, as well as with all those whose lives have been so dreadfully devastated by this conflict.”

He adds that it is his “profound hope that they are able to return home to their loved ones and that there is peace in the region.”