Prince makes historic appeal for an end to fighting in Gaza

PRINCE William made an unprecedented political intervention yesterday as he called for an "end to the fighting" in Gaza - saying "too many have been killed".

-  Emily Ferguson

The Prince of Wales, 41, insisted it was critical that humanitarian support reached the region in an impassioned statement released just before his visit to the British Red Cross HQ in Central London.

He said: "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. 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."

Last night Israel responded by saying it, too, wanted the conflict to stop once the remaining hostages are released by Hamas. Israeli Government spokesman said: "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 October 7 atrocities is dismantled.