Prince William is set to make a rare intervention in the Middle East conflict after having "profound concern", Kensington Palace has confirmed.
Starting today, the Prince of Wales will perform engagements across February to "recognise the human suffering caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East".
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "The Prince of Wales 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.
"His Royal Highness will meet those providing humanitarian support in the region and will hear firsthand accounts of the situation facing those on the ground.
Prince William will perform lots of engagements in coming weeks to do with Middle East conflict
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"Separately he will join a conversation at a synagogue with young people from a wide range of communities who are advocates against hatred and antisemitism.
"The Prince and Princess were profoundly concerned by events that unfolded in late 2023 and continue to hold all the victims, their family and friends in their hearts and minds.
"Their Royal Highnesses continue to share in the hope of a better future for all those affected."
The October 7 raids by the Palestinian militant group Hamas killed about 1,200 people, with around 250 taken hostage.
Buildings lie in ruin in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas
Reuters
Militants still hold around 130 hostages and a quarter of them are believed to be dead.
The war has killed at least 28,985 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
There are fresh fears about an escalation in the conflict if Israeli forces move into Rafah, a city and major aid delivery point in southern Gaza.
The Arab Group chair this month, Tunisia’s UN ambassador Tarek Ladeb, told UN reporters last Wednesday that some 1.5 million Palestinians who sought safety in Rafah face a “catastrophic scenario” if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with a potential evacuation of civilians and military offensive in the area bordering Egypt.
Prince William meeting Holocaust survivors in 2020
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Prince William and Princess Kate visiting the Holocaust Memorial in 2017
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William's latest intervention is set to be carefully managed as the Prince looks to avoid being accused of being pulled into politics.
Today's intervention is not the first time he's undergone engagements surrounding the Israel-Palestine debate.
In 2018 William undertook, on behalf of the Government, the first official trip by a member of the monarchy to Israel and the Occupied West Bank.
During his visit he sat down for separate talks with Netanyahu and the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.
