Prince William wants to see "end to the fighting" in Israel-Hamas war as soon as possible

As the death toll in Gaza rises, Prince William said he wants to see an "end to the fighting" in the Israel-Hamas war as soon as possible. 

William, who recently returned to public royal duties after taking time off while his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, recovered from surgery, said it was critical for aid to get into Gaza. He also called for the release of the Israeli hostages taken during Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

"Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home," William said in a statement on social media. "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."