By Caritas Jerusalem
This statement by Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada‘s longtime partner, Caritas Jerusalem, was originally published earlier this morning on the Caritas Internationalis website.
Since 22 September 2025, the evacuation in Gaza began, prompting Caritas Jerusalem to suspend the operations at five out of ten medical points, including our main medical center.
Up until yesterday, 102 Caritas employees continued their vital work south of Wadi Gaza, operating across the five remaining medical points. In addition, three new medical points were inaugurated yesterday in the south of Wadi Gaza to further expand humanitarian outreach.
The Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem Mr. Anton Asfar, expressed his deep relief and hope upon hearing the news of the agreement to end the war and release prisoners, detainees, and abductees from both sides:
“This morning we woke up to the news of the agreement ending the war and releasing prisoners, detainees, and abductees from both sides.
“All our colleagues in Gaza are overjoyed with the news, and they are very keen on helping all those afflicted by the war — the patients, the casualties, and the grief-stricken in Gaza.”
― Mr. Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem
In the coming phase, Caritas Jerusalem looks forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land, particularly in Gaza.
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierre Battista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and President of Caritas Jerusalem, also shared a heartfelt message following the announcement:
“It is good news, obviously. We are very happy. It is a first step, first phase. Of course, there are many others. For sure, there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring a new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians. And now we finally see something new and different.”
― Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
“Of course,” he stressed, “now there will also be a new atmosphere for the continuation of negotiation, also for all the life inside Gaza that will remain terrible for a long time. But now we are happy. And we hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase where we can little by little start thinking not about war, but about how to rebuild after the war.”
Caritas Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate welcomed this announcement with gratitude and hope, awaiting details on the opening of all humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, looking forward to reaffirming their unwavering commitment to stand beside the people of Gaza as they begin the long journey of healing, recovery, and rebuilding.