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Prince William has amped up the royal family’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
In a rare political foray, the heir to the throne issued a strongly worded statement condemning the violence and asking for immediate humanitarian aid.
He said, “too many have been killed” and that he, like “so many others wants to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible”.
The Prince of Wales expressed how “deeply concerned” his family was, but added that “even in the darkest hour we will not succumb to the counsel of despair".
The announcement came just hours after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” on the war, which has been raging for four months.
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In response, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy stated, “We appreciate the Prince of Wales’ call for Hamas to free the hostages.
“Israelis of course want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible and that will be possible once the 134 hostages are released and once the Hamas terror army threatening to repeat the 7 October atrocities are dismantled.”
While political intervention by members of the royal family is unusual, William has shown his intent on getting involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The war started last October when Hamas staged a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1 200 people and taking 253 hostages.
At the time King Charles condemned it as “barbaric acts of terrorism".
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William is due to carry several engagements this week in the UK to recognise the human suffering caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
In 2018 he became the first senior British royal to make an official visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank.
Royal experts say William’s statement shows he plans to be a far more hands-on king than his father, King Charles.
Some MPs have even questioned whether Charles knew about his son’s statement before it was released.
However, Kensington Palace confirmed Britain’s Foreign Office had been briefed about William’s statement before he made it.
Sources: dailymail.co.uk, timesofisrael.com
