Caritas welcomes Gaza ceasefire and calls for immediate humanitarian access and protection for aid workers
21 October 2025
The following is a statement from Caritas Internationalis regarding the recent ceasefire in Gaza:
The ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October 2025 in Gaza marks a desperately needed pause in the devastation and offers a long-awaited moment of relief for exhausted, starved, and grieving Palestinians, and solace to the families of Israeli hostages who have lived in anguish and uncertainty.
“The cries of joy heard from Gazans and Israelis in these days reflect their shared hope for peace. May this hope quickly become reality through a lasting solution that truly meets the dreams and wishes of both peoples, for the good of all. We urge both sides to honour and implement the peace deal, and need immediate access to get urgent lifesaving assistance to Palestinians in Gaza who have been pushed to the edge of existence. There is a short window of opportunity to provide relief and an end to this inhuman suffering.” Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis
Within days of the ceasefire’s announcement, Caritas Jerusalem mobilised its emergency network across the Gaza Strip. Medical teams distributed 10,000 cans of infant formula to families with newborns and young children who had endured months without basic nutrition. The supplies were delivered through Caritas medical points across Gaza, reaching the most vulnerable swiftly and safely despite enormous logistical obstacles.
“From the very first day after the war, our teams have been working tirelessly to support the people of Gaza, especially the most fragile: children, mothers, and the elderly. Delivering infant formula was not only about food, but about restoring life and hope.” Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem
The peace deal follows more than two years of devastation, during which over 67,000 people have been killed, although the actual number of fatalities is likely to be much higher, and more than 165,000 people injured across the Gaza Strip. Building on its ten medical centres in the region, Caritas Jerusalem and its partners stand ready to scale up their response with a clear commitment to bring healing, dignity and solidarity to those who have endured unimaginable suffering.
“Two years of conflict have brought death and destruction, especially to those who have lost children, parents, friends, and homes. With the whole Church, I am close to your immense pain.” Pope Leo XIV
Yet even in the deepest darkness, the Pope reminded all that the Lord’s love extends to everyone, as expressed in his recent Exhortation Dilexi Te: “I have loved you.” He also called on the parties involved to continue courageously on the path they have chosen, striving for a just and lasting peace that honours the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
Humanitarian catastrophe and the urgency of response
Gaza is now almost totally destroyed. According to satellite imagery, more than 83 per cent of buildings in Gaza City are ruined or destroyed. Hospitals stand in ruins, and thousands of wounded people await treatment. Malnutrition spreads rapidly among children and pregnant women, while nearly two million people face the coming winter without proper shelter, fuel, or clean water.
Therefore, Caritas Internationalis urges:
Immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access throughout of more than 170,000 metric tons of food, health and shelter supplies pre-positioned in the region and ready for immediate dispatch into Gaza. Delay is costing lives, access must be granted now
Expansion of crossing points to enable a continuous and unimpeded flow of life-saving aid.
Urgent restoration of the UN-led humanitarian coordination mechanism to ensure impartial, secure and principled delivery.
Authorisation of medical evacuations for those requiring urgent specialist care. Denial is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Scaled up psycho-social support for traumatised populations, specially for children and caregivers, whose suffering cannot be addressed by food alone.
Protection of civilians, especially children, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly, and accountability for all violations. Gross violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law must be documented and prosecuted.
Full accountability for all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity before national and international courts. Impunity must end.
The facilitation of NGO access, including the reversal of de-registration efforts that obstruct humanitarian presence and delivery.
Protection of all humanitarian workers, after the killing of 565 humanitarians, since October 2023, including two from Caritas Jerusalem, is essential. This unprecedented assault on humanitarian space must stop.
The full implementation of the recommendations contained in the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024.
Due to the severe mental and physical suffering in Gaza, we believe that no one can afford to wait another day. Medical equipment, medicines, food, and water must be safely delivered immediately. Every hour of delay deepens the suffering and undermines the fragile hope that this peace has brought.
Caritas Internationalis stands ready to support all victims and urges all actors and leaders to transform this historic truce into lasting peace.