Prince William calls for an end to Gaza fighting 'as soon as possible'

Prince William, the heir to the British throne, called on Tuesday for an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible in a rare, if measured, public statement on the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human consequences of the conflict in the Middle East since the terrorist attack by Hamas” on October 7, the prince said in comments from his office. “There have been too many deaths.”

He added: “I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for more humanitarian support to Gaza. It is crucial that help arrives and that the hostages are released.”

Traditionally, the British royal family keeps out of politics, and its members generally avoid interfering in controversial issues.

Prince William's comments came ahead of a meeting in London on Tuesday at the Red Cross, where he would be kept informed of humanitarian efforts in support of people affected by the conflict. He is expected later this month a synagogue to take part in a discussion with members of the Holocaust Educational Trust, which campaigns against hatred and anti-Semitism.

The prince's statement added: “Sometimes the importance of permanent peace only becomes clear when we are confronted with the enormity of human suffering,” and that “even in the darkest hour we must not yield to the counsel of despair .”

It concluded: “I continue to hold on to the hope that a better future can be found and I refuse to give it up.”