King expresses ‘deep shock’ in call with Israel’s president – as Prince William says he is ‘profoundly distressed’
The King has expressed his condolences and “deep shock” at the “barbaric” actions by Hamas in a call with Israel’s president – as Prince William said he was “profoundly distressed” by the “horrors” inflicted.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog thanked the King for his support and said his words were an “important statement” which would serve as a “great comfort to the people of Israel”.
Mr Herzog’s office said in a statement: “President Isaac Herzog spoke today with the King of the United Kingdom, King Charles III, who called to express his condolences and deep shock at the criminal and barbaric actions of the terrorist organisation Hamas in its attack on the citizens of Israel.”
The statement added: “The two talked at length about the terrible massacre and how it was carried out.
“The conversation between the two took place as part of a series of conversations the president has been holding on a daily basis with leaders from all over the world, including leaders of international organizations, and Jewish community leaders.”
The King has also asked to be “actively updated” on the conflict as he is “appalled” by the “barbaric acts of terrorism” in Israel, Buckingham Palace has said.
The spokesman said the King is “extremely concerned” and his “thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering”.
Meanwhile, in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales said: “[They] are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days.
“The horrors inflicted by Hamas’s terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling, they utterly condemn them.
“As Israel exercises its right to self defence, all Israelis and Palestinians will be continued to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come.”
Key developments in the conflict:
• Met Police appeals for people to send them footage of attacks in Israel
• 17 British nationals, including children, killed or missing, Sky News understands
• Netanyahu and opposition agree to form emergency government
• At least 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 2,700 injured, IDF says
• At least 1,100 Palestinians dead and 5,184 injured in Israeli strikes, Gaza Health Ministry says
• Hamas attacks airport shortly after BA flight was due to land
• Sky correspondent visits kibbutz that became site of a massacre
The royals have issued statements as British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in Israel to express the UK’s “solidarity” in the wake of the Hamas attacks.
Mr Cleverly was seen running for cover as air sirens blared in the city of Ofakim.
He later said in a statement on X: “Today I’ve seen a glimpse of what millions experience every day.
“The threat of Hamas rockets lingers over every Israeli man, woman and child.
“This is why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel.”
The Israeli foreign ministry said the siren was warning citizens of incoming Hamas rocket fire.
The King’s connection with Israel
When he was the Prince of Wales, the King carried out his first official tour of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020.
It marked the highest-level visit by a member of the monarchy to Israel and the Palestinian areas.
He visited the grave of his grandmother Princess Alice, who was famed for offering refuge to Jewish people during the Second World War in Nazi-occupied Athens.
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Cleverly runs for cover in Israel
Gaza runs out of power as violence continues
Israel is continuing its bombardment of Gaza in response to a surprise attack on the country by Hamas over the weekend.
Israel is carrying out a “total siege” of Gaza to stop the entry of food, fuel and medicines into the territory.
The city of 2.3 million people has been left without electricity after its sole power station ran out of energy.
Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked in prison.
Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year jail term for multiple sexual offences, including serious crimes against young children and babies at HMP Wakefield, in West Yorkshire.
He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed.
West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A police van outside Wakefield prison. Pic: YappApp
Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene after prison staff reported the assault to police.
The prison went into lockdown in the immediate aftermath of the incident, sources added.
A Prison Service spokesperson said they could not comment while the police investigate.
Watkins was previously stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023, suffering non life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates before being freed by prison officers six hours later.
He was sentenced in December 2013 to 29 years in prison, with a further six years on licence, after admitting 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
Watkins performing in 2004. Pic: PA
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He also encouraged a second fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat and secretly stashed child sexual abuse videos, some of which he had made himself.
At the time, police described him as a “committed, organised paedophile”.
Having found fame in Welsh rock band Lostprophets, Watkins was arrested after his Pontypridd home was searched on orders of a drug warrant in September 2012.
A large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized during the search.
When sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, the singer was told he was being given an extended sentence – and a judge said his crimes “plumbed new depths of depravity”.
After being caught with a mobile phone behind bars in 2019, he told a court that he was locked up with “murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst”.
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