In the last two years, Cordaid’s local partner in Gaza, Caritas Jerusalem, has been providing emergency aid under extremely challenging circumstances. After the violence ends, the humanitarian support can be scaled up significantly.
Since 22 September 2025, the evacuation in Gaza began, prompting Caritas Jerusalem to suspend its operations at five out of ten medical points, including our main medical centre. Up until yesterday, 102 Caritas employees continued their vital work south of Wadi Gaza, operating across the five remaining medical points. In addition, three new medical points were inaugurated yesterday in the south of Wadi Gaza to expand humanitarian outreach.
‘We are looking forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land’
Caritas Jerusalem’s Secretary General, Anton Asfar, expresses his relief and hope: ‘This morning, we woke up to the news of the agreement ending the war and releasing prisoners, detainees, and abductees from both sides. All our colleagues in Gaza are overjoyed with the news and are very keen on helping those afflicted by the war. In the coming phase, we are looking forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land, and specifically in Gaza.’
‘We hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase’
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierre Battista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the President of Caritas Jerusalem, also shared a heartfelt message following the announcement: ‘This is good news. There will be other obstacles, but now we must rejoice in this critical step, which will build trust for the future and offer new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinian. We hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase where we can start thinking about how to rebuild after the war.’
We welcome this announcement with gratitude and hope. We are awaiting details on the opening of all humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, and we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand beside the people of Gaza as they begin the long journey of healing, recovery, and rebuilding.