UK’s Prince William: It’s critical that aid gets into Gaza and the hostages are released

In a rare statement on the Middle East, the UK’s Prince William calls for the hostages held in Gaza to be freed and for more aid to enter the Strip, as he laments the death toll since the war began with the Hamas onslaught on October 7.

“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 prince says in a statement. “Too many have been killed.”

“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,” the British royal says.

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