UPDATE - UK's Prince William expresses concern over 'terrible human cost' of Gaza conflict

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain's Prince of Wales William on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" over the "terrible human cost" of the Gaza conflict.

"Too many have been killed. I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible," William said in a statement issued by Kensington Palace.

Voicing the desperate need for increased humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinian enclave, he said that aid flow and the release of hostages are critical.

"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," added William.

Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed over 29,000 people and injured over 69,000 with mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

- William's engagements

According to a previous statement by the palace, the prince will undertake engagements which "recognise the human suffering" caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, as well as "the rise of antisemitism" around the world.

William is expected to meet those providing humanitarian support in the region and will hear firsthand accounts of the situation facing those on the ground.

He will also join a conversation at a synagogue with young people from a wide range of communities who advocates against hatred and antisemitism, according to the statement.

The prince will also visit the British Red Cross's headquarters in central London where he will hear about the humanitarian efforts taking place to support those affected by the conflict in the region.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Some 1.5 million Palestinians previously displaced by Israel's offensive on Gaza are holed up in Rafah, seeking refuge from hostilities.

Israel's reported plans for an offensive on the city have sounded international alarm bells, with many countries urging restraint or cancelation of the operation.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.