October 9, 2025, marked two days after the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on the south of Israel. The devastation experienced on that horrific day resulted in the deaths of roughly 1,200 people and 240 taken captive in Gaza. The subsequent two years of war, and what many experts call genocide, resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza and widespread destruction. 

The current hostage exchange deal centers on the release of the remaining hostages, including the bodies of those deceased and the less than 20 of whom are believed to be alive. At the time of writing, the hostage/prisoner exchange could begin as soon as Monday, October 13, 72 hours from the signing of the agreement, with a simultaneous release of 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained by the Israeli military. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has been calling for an end to all violence and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire since October 7, 2023. Often, in meetings with the White House and US government officials, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Beginning in early 2024, for the first time, CMEP began to call for the withholding of U.S. weapons from Israel because of their use in violation of both international and U.S. law. Our denominations came together uniquely, seeking to follow in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace and “make war no more” (Micah 4:3). Instead of Christians rejecting our calls to peace, our numbers didn’t dwindle; instead, an increasing number of denominations and dozens of churches joined our call. 

Thus, we greeted the news of the October 9th agreement with cautious optimism. What thrilling news that two years of war might be coming to an end! Celebrations all over the Gaza Strip can be seen on social media, including videos of children shouting “Hudna! Hudna! Hudna!” – a word in Arabic that means a ceasefire for a long-term truce agreement. On the other hand, the deal is very tentative, and the most challenging issues toward lasting peace remain - the complete disarmament of Hamas (called for by Israel) and the specific timing and details surrounding complete Israeli withdrawal (called for by Hamas). Do we welcome peace? Absolutely! After nearly two years of relentless warfare, widespread destruction, and devastating loss of life, we pray this agreement marks a turning point toward peace, justice, and healing for all who call the Holy Land home. 

War and violence are not the answer for adjudicating justice in response to the attacks of October 7, 2023. Jesus very clearly taught, in the Garden of Gethsemane, “live by the sword, die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Palestinians have been living under military occupation in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza since 1967. Decades of a lack of self-determination while under military control must be brought to an end for there to be lasting peace. Just as Israelis, and Jews around the world, need to know and experience a reality where they and their people are not targeted and under threat because of growing antisemitism or increased anti-Israel hatred. Might this current agreement be the beginning of lasting repair that will address the core issues of ongoing conflict and oppression? Unless the deeply rooted injustices and power imbalances that have existed between Israelis and Palestinians are adequately addressed, this current agreement will only be a short “pause” in fighting and displacement, rather than a lasting and permanent peace. 

Mother Teresa said, “the reason we do not have peace is that we have forgotten that we belong to one another.” The futures of Israelis and Palestinians are inextricably linked. And the world must not ignore the intentional killing and displacement of tens of thousands of people in Gaza over the past two years. If this current agreement holds, it means the work toward lasting peace has just begun. Hungry and malnourished people in Gaza must have immediate and adequate access to food, aid, and other humanitarian assistance. The destruction of the Gaza Strip must be rebuilt, and the occupation must be brought to an end. 

This ceasefire deal cannot act as a political cover that shields or distracts from the continued ethnic cleansing and illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Instead, it must act as a catalyst to halt these damaging acts and lead to a comprehensive solution that upholds the dignity and safety of all Palestinian people, living in peace and prosperity alongside their Israeli neighbors. 

As followers of Christ, we affirm that every human life bears the image of God (imago Dei). We mourn the immeasurable suffering of the past two years and pray this moment of fragile peace becomes the foundation for restoration, justice, and hope for generations to come. 

Photo via Pexels.