Prince William has visited severely ill Gazan children being treated by the NHS after they were evacuated to the UK.
He was “moved by the courage” they showed after enduring experiencing things “no child should ever face”, Kensington Palace said.
In May, two children from Gaza became the first to travel to the UK for specialist medical care. Work to begin further evacuations for NHS specialist treatment started in the autumn.
Fifty children and their immediate families had been brought to the UK as of 21 November, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed.
“Recently His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales met a small number of children from Gaza who are currently receiving specialist care in the UK,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
“The prince wished to offer a moment of comfort to these young people who have endured experiences no child should ever face.”
William also wanted to offer “his heartfelt gratitude to the NHS teams providing exceptional care during such a profoundly difficult time”, the statement added.
“His Royal Highness was moved by the courage shown by the children and their families and by the dedication of the team who are supporting them with such professionalism and humanity.”
In 2018, the prince visited a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank, becoming the first member of the Royal Family to make an official trip to the area.
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A government spokesperson said 50 patients and their immediate family members “are now receiving care in surroundings that are safe and welcoming”.
Their statement continued: “Following the ceasefire, now is the time to scale-up aid and ensure much-needed medicines and medical supplies are getting into Gaza, so that families can access the healthcare they need.
“We stand ready to continue to provide health-related support to the people of Gaza.”
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Earlier this year, William paid tribute to humanitarian workers during a visit to Gunnersbury Park, west London, for the launch of the first global memorial for humanitarian workers.
“We are witnesses to the appalling suffering of those who are victims of war and violence; from Ukraine to Sudan, from Myanmar to Haiti and, indeed, throughout much of the Middle East. And, alas, in so many other places,” he said.
“Yet, the presence of humanitarian aid workers, like those in Gaza, runs like a thread of shared humanity through even the grimmest of environments.”
