The British royal family, including the king, has expressed grief and solidarity with Israel and condemned the "terrorist attack" by Hamas on the occupying nation.
Their statements come, as the armed Hamas group on Thursday fired yet another barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv in response to Israeli air strikes allegedly targeting "civilians" in two refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, as claimed by the group.
Officials have claimed that 1,200 people, mostly civilians, had been killed on either side in the conflict that started on Saturday with Hamas' surprise rocket attack on Israel, and has only intensified since then.
Buckingham Palace sources have said that King Charles has expressed his deep dismay and strongly condemned the "barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel". He is said to be appalled by the ongoing situation and has requested for regular updates on the evolving crisis.
A palace spokesman affirmed, "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated."
The King extends sentiments to all those affected, with his "thoughts and prayers" directed towards those enduring the consequences of the conflict, particularly those who have lost loved ones, the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Prince of Wales William and Princess Kate Middleton said the two were "profoundly distressed" by the "devastating" events that had 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 of self-defence, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be stalked by grief, fear and anger in the time to come," the statement said.
William and Kate, the statement added, held all the victims, their families and friends in their hearts and minds.
"In the midst of such terrible suffering, The Prince and Princess continue to share [the hope for a better future] without reservation," it concluded.
