“The war has paused, but the wounds remain”
16 October, 2025As the world welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, Diakonia along with the other members of the ACT Palestine Forum affirm that this is not the end of war, but it is the beginning of facing the truth and remembrance.
After two years of devastation, displacement, and unimaginable loss, life in Gaza stands on the edge of collapse. A fragile ceasefire provides only ‘fragile hope’. More than 66,000 lives have been taken, over 150,000 wounded. Homes, schools, and hospitals turned into dust. Families now return to where their homes once were, finding only ruins and memories.
The ceasefire offers a small window of relief, but it must mark the beginning of real accountability and moral responsibility. It must open the way for a safe, principled, and unrestricted humanitarian response that restores dignity, hope, and life.
We call on the international community to:
- Uphold the ceasefire, fully and without delay.
- End the siege of Gaza and open all crossings with Gaza to allow the free movement of people and goods in both directions.
- Allow and support immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to all organizations operating in Gaza and remove new registration restrictions that politicize aid delivery.
- End forced displacement across Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, and ensure the safe, voluntary return of displaced families.
- Stop the assaults and crimes committed by settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem against Palestinians.
- Work to end the Israeli occupation and to ensure enforcement of the relevant international legitimacy resolutions concerning Palestine.
- Ensure a permanent ceasefire and a lasting peace.
- Support Gaza’s reconstruction with dignity, agency, and justice.
Diakonia in Palestine
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Despite significant challenges, Palestinian civil society remains resilient. Programs that empower youth, women, and marginalized groups, while strengthening civil society organizations, are essential for building a democratic, just, and prosperous future.