A statement from Churches for Middle East Peace, a partner organization for the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) welcomes the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas with cautious optimism. After nearly two years of relentless warfare, widespread destruction, and devastating loss of life, we pray this agreement marks a turning point toward peace, justice, and healing for all who call the Holy Land home.
We welcome the news of the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the pullback of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from parts of Gaza, and the renewed entry of humanitarian aid and UN relief operations. These developments offer a long-awaited lifeline to the people of Gaza, who continue to face catastrophic levels of hunger, preventable disease, and medical shortages. The immediate priority must be to avert famine, restore clean water access, and ensure adequate medical supplies, especially for those with injuries, chronic health conditions, and newborns dependent on incubators and other lifesaving care.
Yet we know this plan will not bring true and lasting peace and self-determination to the Palestinian people. More work needs to be done to ensure the root causes of the occupation are addressed in order to pave the way for a comprehensive peace. This ceasefire deal cannot act as a political cover that shields or distracts from the continued ethnic cleansing and illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. It must act as a catalyst to halt these damaging acts and lead to a comprehensive solution that upholds the dignity and safety of all Palestinian people.
CMEP urges all parties to respect and uphold the ceasefire agreement fully. Once the initial phase is completed, we call for the full implementation of subsequent stages, including a permanent cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the establishment of a Palestinian-led civil administration, and the launch of reconstruction and rebuilding efforts.
The United States and the broader international community must apply sustained diplomatic pressure on Israel to honor the ceasefire and prevent a repeat of previous unilateral violations. Pressure should also be applied to Hamas and other militants to end all violence and commit to peace. We recall with deep concern the repeated breakdowns of ceasefires in Gaza and continued ceasefire violations in Lebanon, including Israel’s unilateral breach in March, which derailed the previous negotiation process.
This ceasefire must not be a temporary pause before renewed violence; it must be the beginning of the end of this war, which must end swiftly. CMEP calls on global leaders and people of faith to ensure this truce paves the way for a durable political solution, one that upholds the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, guarantees security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and fosters a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East.
As followers of Christ, we affirm that every human life bears the image of God. We mourn the immeasurable suffering of the past two years and pray this moment of fragile peace becomes the foundation for restoration, justice, and hope for generations to come.
— Find this statement linked online at https://cmep.org/press-news/public-statements-letters
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