A statement on the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza
We welcome the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal that will release all hostages and see Israeli troops withdraw to an agreed line.
Many have prayed for the release of captives on both sides and for an end to the violence. We thank God that these prayers are beginning to be answered.
While this is a significant move toward a ceasefire, lasting peace will require much more. The current 20-point peace plan under negotiation does not address the deeper injustices in the history and present reality of the Holy Land.
In the West Bank, Israel continues to expand illegal settlements through legislation and the actions of violent settler groups, often supported by the Israeli Defence Forces. Palestinians face increasing restrictions on movement, and violent confrontations continue daily.
The West Bank is notably absent from the current peace plan, suggesting that self-determination for Palestinians is not a priority for those leading the peace process.
If the plan succeeds, Gaza may be rebuilt and governed by Palestinians. But the broader relationship between Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank will remain unchanged. The ongoing occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza have failed to provide freedom for Palestinians or security for Israelis. Without addressing these root issues, the region risks falling back into an uneasy peace, maintained by force and vulnerable to future unrest and violence.
We welcome these first steps toward ending the war on Gaza. We continue to pray for a peace process that delivers justice, security, self-determination, and respect for human rights for all. We urge the international community to support a process that builds on this agreement and leads to a lasting and just peace in the region.
The Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference
Matthew Forsyth, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference