A Kensington Palace spokesperson said William wanted to offer comfort to children who have experienced pain and fear that no child should ever face. The Palace added that he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to NHS hospital staff for providing exceptional care during such a difficult moment.
Officials said the Prince of Wales was touched by the bravery shown by the children and their families. He also admired the dedication of the medical teams caring for them with professionalism and kindness.
The children are receiving treatment as part of a humanitarian mission, after medical facilities in Gaza collapsed during the ongoing conflict.
Tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories escalated after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed civilians and resulted in hostages being taken. Israel responded with large-scale military action in Gaza, causing thousands of deaths and injuries.
Despite several temporary ceasefires, the conflict has continued for two years. William has closely followed the crisis since his 2018 visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, where he met both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Read more: UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump's Gaza plan
In a recent statement, William expressed deep concern over the human cost of the conflict, saying “Too many have been killed.” He called for an urgent increase in humanitarian support for Gaza and stressed the need for aid access and the release of hostages.
He said that the scale of human suffering shows why permanent peace is essential. William added that despite the darkness, he refuses to lose hope and believes a brighter future is still possible.
William released a rare statement on the conflict in the region in early 2024, ahead of a visit to the headquarters of the British Red Cross in central London. (While he made a previous statement in October 2023, the extent of human suffering led him to make another, a Kensington Palace spokesperson told PEOPLE at the time.)
"I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October," Prince William said. "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," added the royal. "Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.”
William concluded, "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."
Analysts say Prince William’s comments show growing global concern over the Gaza crisis. His emotional reactions highlight how deeply the conflict is affecting children. Experts believe his voice may encourage stronger humanitarian efforts and renewed focus on long-term peace.
