The Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates of Jerusalem have called for an immediate end to the escalating conflict in Gaza
Newsroom (26/08/2025, Gaudium Press )In a powerful joint statement, the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates of Jerusalem have called for an immediate end to the escalating conflict in Gaza, urging the international community to halt the “senseless and devastating war” and prioritize healing for families ravaged by violence on all sides. The statement, issued in response to the Israeli government’s approval of a plan to take control of Gaza City, draws from Proverbs 12:28: “In the path of righteousness there is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”
A Dire Warning Unfolds
The Patriarchates expressed alarm over the Israeli government’s recent actions, including large-scale military mobilization and evacuation orders for several neighborhoods in Gaza City, where nearly one million civilians, including the Christian community, reside. Reports indicate that residents are being directed to move to the southern Gaza Strip amid ongoing heavy bombing, which has driven a rising death toll and widespread destruction.
The statement references an earlier Israeli government warning that “the gates of hell will open,” describing it as a grim prophecy now materializing. “This was not merely a threat—it is a reality already underway,” the Patriarchates declared, citing the government’s stated intentions, past military operations, and harrowing reports from the ground as evidence of an intensifying crisis.
Sanctuaries Amid the Storm
Throughout the conflict, the Greek Orthodox compound of St. Porphyrius and the Latin compound of the Holy Family Catholic Church have served as vital refuges, sheltering hundreds of civilians fleeing the violence. The Latin compound, in particular, provides care for people with disabilities through the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, offering a beacon of hope amid the chaos.
However, the Patriarchates voiced deep uncertainty about the future of Gaza’s Christian community and its broader population. “What will happen to them remains unclear,” the statement noted, emphasizing that “there can be no future built on imprisonment, forced displacement of Palestinians, or vengeance.”
A Call for Justice and Humanity
Echoing recent remarks by Pope Leo XIV to the Chagos Refugee Group, the Patriarchates underscored the fundamental rights of all peoples: “All peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and their rights—especially the right to live in their own lands. No one has the right to force them into exile.”
With over half a million people in Gaza facing famine and more than 60,000 killed since October 2023, the Patriarchates condemned the deliberate displacement of civilians, declaring, “This is not the right path. There is no justification for the deliberate and forced displacement of civilians.”
A Plea for Peace
The statement called for an immediate end to the cycle of violence, stressing that both sides have endured profound losses in lives and land. “It is time to end this war and prioritize the common good,” the Patriarchates urged, advocating for a future where families “who have suffered for far too long” can begin to heal.
With urgency, the Patriarchates appealed to the international community to act decisively to halt the conflict, secure the safe return of missing individuals and Israeli hostages, and foster a path toward justice and reconciliation.
The statement concluded with a prayer for transformation: “May the hearts of all mankind be transformed, that we may all walk on the path of justice and life—for Gaza, and for all the Holy Land.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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