WCC NEWS: Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem release statement on end of war in Gaza

Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem released a statement on 14 October reflected on the end of the war in Gaza. Church of the Holy Sepulchre. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 15 October 2025 “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,” the statement reads. “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.” The statement expresses hope for a wide-scale humanitarian operation that offers immediate relief to the Palestinians of Gaza and to other communities that continue to suffer displacement, death, injuries, hunger, and loss of livelihood.  “At the same time, we continue to view with great concern the increasing violence against local communities in the West Bank in connection with settlement expansions there,” the statement reads. “We therefore appeal to the concerned parties and the international community as a whole to widen the scope of the current negotiations to include an end of the occupation of both the West Bank and Gaza, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace with the present State of Israel.” The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem also shared a special word of encouragement to those living inside St Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Catholic Church, as well as those serving at Al-Ahli Anglican Hospital. "Your perseverance in faith amidst the immeasurable hardships of the past two years has served as a shining example for us all,” the statement reads. “We pledge to you our continued prayers and support, where we will work diligently to ensure that the weeks and months ahead will be a vindication of your trust in God’s divine providence.” The work of peace-building has just begun, concludes the statement. “May God grant us all the grace to rededicate ourselves to this vital task, shepherding us toward that golden age of peace so long envisioned by the prophets and sages of old—and for which our Lord Jesus Christ himself gave up his own life, rising to new life beyond the grave.” Statement on the Recent Ceasefire-Hopefully Signaling the End of the Gaza War See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland