Press Release
14th October, 2025
Statement on the Declarations on the End of the War in Gaza
“[The Almighty] makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:9-10)
Along with millions living throughout our war-torn region, and hundreds of millions around the globe, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, rejoice at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive.
We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the enormous efforts of all those in the international community who worked relentlessly to accomplish this major achievement. We hope and trust that this first stage of the ceasefire truly signals the end of the Gaza War, and that any further disagreements between the parties will be resolved through negotiation and mediation, applying the utmost restraint, rather than the resumption of hostilities. Indeed, our region as a whole has suffered long enough to contemplate otherwise. Now is clearly the time to embark upon the very long pathway of healing and reconciliation that is so profoundly needed between Palestinians and Israelis.
We are especially encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by the participants of the Sharm El- Sheikh Summit marking the commencement of this agreement, and by many other international actors, and we hope that this impressive global mobilization will soon materialize into a wide-scale humanitarian operation that offers immediate relief to the Palestinians of Gaza and to other communities in our region that continue to suffer displacement, death, injuries, hunger, and loss of livelihood. We therefore call for a rapid surge into the Gaza strip and other affected communities of not only food, clean water, fuel, and medical supplies, but also temporary shelters and medical facilities—all as a prelude to a speedily enacted and exhaustive program for the massive clearing and rebuilding of destroyed homes, businesses, and civilian infrastructure.