Jerusalem Church Leaders Rejoice at Gaza Ceasefire, Call for Massive Rebuilding and End to Occupation

OCP News Service – 14/10/2025

Jerusalem-Holy Land: The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued a unified statement on October 14, 2025, expressing profound joy over the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza and the successful release of captives, while simultaneously urging immediate political and humanitarian action to secure a lasting peace.

The leaders, representing millions across the region, trust that this initial stage of the ceasefire, announced by President Trump before Israel’s Knesset yesterday, truly “signals the end of the Gaza War.” They stressed that any future disagreements between the parties must be resolved through negotiation and reconciliation, rather than a resumption of hostilities.

• Urgent Humanitarian Surge Requested

Recognizing the immense suffering endured by Gaza residents—with hundreds of thousands having lost homes, health, and livelihoods—the Churches issued a powerful call for immediate aid.

The statement strongly encourages a “rapid surge of food, clean water, fuel, medical supplies, and temporary shelters into the Gaza Strip and other affected communities.” This emergency response, they argue, must be a prelude to a “speedily enacted program for the massive clearing and rebuilding” of destroyed homes, businesses, and civilian infrastructure.

• Appeal for Two-State Solution

Moving beyond immediate relief, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches directed a firm appeal to the concerned parties and the international community to broaden the scope of current negotiations.

They called for talks to include an “end to the Occupation of both Gaza and the West Bank,” leading inexorably to the establishment of a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace with the present state of Israel. The leaders stated their conviction that only this path will establish a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East.

• Praising Perseverance

The statement included a special word of encouragement for the Christian institutions that have stood fast during the conflict, praising the “perseverance in faith” of those living inside St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Catholic Church, as well as those serving at Al-Ahli Anglican Hospital.

The Churches pledged continued prayers and support, working diligently to ensure that the difficult weeks and months ahead will be a vindication of their trust in God’s divine providence.

Concluding with a message rooted in Psalm 46:9–10—“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth…”—the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches acknowledged that while the auspicious moment of the ceasefire has arrived, the vital work of peacebuilding has only just begun.

Source:

OCP News Service