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A reflection on the Gaza ceasefire

30 January 2025

The Revd David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer, Jerusalem, shares a reflection on the ceasefire.

It is right to give thanks for the ceasefire in Gaza but we cannot be complacent and believe that this brings peace. The ceasefire brings a pause to death and destruction in Gaza and a promise of release for those held captive, but it does not bring peace.

Many questions remain, not least will the ceasefire hold? If it does who will govern Gaza and who will pay the estimated £33bn to rebuild? Up to 10% of the munitions used in the conflict are said to be unexploded. People returning to homes will not only be faced with damaged and destroyed homes but also the dangers of unexploded bombs. Since 2007 Gaza has been blockaded by Israel who have tightly controlled who, and what, gets in. Will there be a return to this blockade, will it be more stringent?

While the focus has been on Gaza the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated. NGO Kerem Navot reported that 50 Palestinian communities have disappeared since Oct 7 2023 due to settler violence. As the ceasefire began Israel erected additional gates around West Bank towns and cities to further restrict Palestinian movement and in Jenin Israel began an operation called ‘Iron Wall’ with one senior Israeli security official vowing ‘we will leave it in ruins.’

The Holy Land is crying out for justice and peace. What has happened in the last 15 months needs to be a wakeup call to the world: the violence, injustice, oppression and occupation must end.

Can we do anything as UK Methodists? It is easy to feel helpless but we can listen for the Palestinian and Israeli voices that are seeking a just peace and amplify their words. We can continue to pray that the ceasefire holds and write to our leaders encouraging them, with the international community, to facilitate a just peace process. We can give to the Gaza/Lebanon Justice Appeal via the Methodist Church in Britain Website to enable the healing work with the most vulnerable to continue.

Only when all in the Holy Land live in security with justice and as equals will we be able to say: this is peace.