The Prince of Wales has made a private visit to see children from Gaza who were wounded in the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Prince William spent time with a group of young patients being treated in the UK earlier this month at an undisclosed location to “offer a moment of comfort”.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said that the prince wanted to visit the children, “who have endured experiences no child should ever face”. The palace has not released any images of the visit or details about the children and their families for security and safeguarding reasons.
The spokesperson said: “The prince was also able to offer his heartfelt gratitude to the NHS teams providing exceptional care during such a profoundly difficult time. His Royal Highness was moved by the courage shown by the children and their families and by the dedication of the team who are supporting them with such professionalism and humanity.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by the United States came into effect on October 10, but violence and unrest has continued across the region.
According to recent figures from the British Red Cross, the death toll in Gaza has reached more than 61,000, which includes over 17,000 children. About 90 per cent of Gaza’s population have been displaced from their homes and more than two million people are facing extreme hunger.
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In February last year, William issued a strongly worded statement on the Israel-Gaza conflict, calling for “an end to the fighting as soon as possible” as he visited the British Red Cross headquarters in London to hear about humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Later that month he visited a synagogue in London and condemned the rise in antisemitism since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, saying it had “no place in our society”.
Prince William visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London in February last year
REUTERS
During a meeting with President Ramaphosa of South Africa in Cape Town last year, William also shared his concern about the conflict in the Middle East and the humanitarian impact on young people. South Africa has been staunch in its support of the Palestinians and accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the International Court of Justice.
Sources close to William have said that the Middle East conflict was an ongoing concern for the prince, and “he continues to follow the situation closely, particularly the humanity of the children involved”. It is understood that the issue has been deemed too sensitive for further public interventions.
Last month, William said that humanitarian work “must remain sacrosanct”. He said that “we must champion and fight” for aid agencies to be able to access those most in need in Gaza and other conflict zones, when he officially opened the Global Humanitarian Memorial in London.
The Global Humanitarian Memorial in west London
PA
At the unveiling in Gunnersbury Park, west London, William said: “Around the world, far too many people continue to face unimaginable pain, suffering and loss, whether through natural disasters or man-made conflict and famine.
“We are witnesses to the appalling suffering of those who are victims of war and violence from Ukraine to Sudan, from Myanmar to Haiti, and indeed throughout much of the Middle East.”