Prince William, the Prince of Wales, paid a visit to severely ill children from Gaza who are currently receiving treatment from the NHS. A spokesperson from Kensington Palace mentioned that Prince William was deeply touched by the bravery of the children and their families.
According to statistics from the Department of Health and Social Care, there are currently 50 children being treated as of 21 November. Since September, the NHS has been providing specialized care to these children from Gaza, as part of a humanitarian mission spearheaded by the UK government.
The initial evacuation of sick children and their families from Gaza was reported in September, although the identities of these evacuees have not been disclosed. A government spokesperson commented, "The government collaborated with partners to execute medical evacuations from Gaza to the UK throughout the autumn. Fifty patients along with their immediate family members are now receiving care in an environment that is both safe and welcoming."
In addition to visiting the children, Prince William earlier unveiled a global memorial dedicated to humanitarian aid workers in October, where he emphasized the importance of humanitarian values in his speech.
This royal visit underscores Prince William's intention to foster what he describes as "more empathetic leadership around the world" with a particular focus on humanitarian issues. During a recent documentary series, "The Reluctant Traveller," he spoke with presenter Eugene Levy stating, "change is on my agenda, change for good," although he noted, "Not overly radical change, but change that needs to happen."
After his meeting with the Gazan children, a Palace spokesperson remarked, "The Prince wished to offer a moment of comfort to these young people who have endured experiences no child should ever face. The Prince was also able to offer his heartfelt gratitude to the NHS teams providing exceptional care during such a profoundly difficult time."
Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza following an attack by Hamas-led militants from the Palestinian territory on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251. Since then, at least 70,100 fatalities have been reported in Gaza by the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, with a ceasefire declared on 10 October.