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- By Sean Coughlan
- royal correspondent
The Prince of Wales says he wants to “see an end to the fighting as soon as possible”, in a major intervention in the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
He has spoken of the “terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack.”
Prince William says there is a “desperate need to increase humanitarian support to Gaza” and for the hostages to be released.
He was speaking before a visit about humanitarian support in Gaza.
The prince’s visits will be a symbolic recognition of the suffering of those caught up in violence.
You will hear from those providing humanitarian support in the Middle East and are expected to hear first-hand accounts of the pressure on those working in Gaza.
On a visit to a synagogue later this month, Prince William will speak to young people from diverse backgrounds, in a gathering that will draw particular attention to concerns about anti-Semitism.
Building bridges between religions and combating religious intolerance has been a particular cause of the prince’s father, King Charles III.
But since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this month, the King has made no such public visits.
Last October, the King spoke of the “heartbreaking loss of life” in the Middle East conflict and made a passionate call for respect between different religions and cultures.
But as the King steps away from such public involvement during his cancer treatment, Prince William will be among the senior royals to make such symbolic and sensitive visits.
Prince William himself stopped fulfilling commitments when Catherine was recovering from abdominal surgery, but has since returned to official duties such as these visits.