Just and lasting peace possible through establishment of Palestinian state, patriarchs say October 16, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem said in a joint Oct. 14 statement they “rejoice at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive,” which they hailed as “auspicious moment,” noting “the work of peacebuilding has only just begun.”
In Egypt, Trump touts ‘phase 2’ of ceasefire deal after Hamas releases living Israeli hostages October 14, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump said during a meeting in Egypt on Oct. 13 that “phase two has started” of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas in response to a question from a reporter about when the next stage of negotiations would begin.
CNEWA director: Sense of relief as hostages freed, ceasefire holds — but peace vulnerable October 13, 2025By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Scenes of joy, relief and tearful welcomes flooded media across the world Oct. 13 as the remaining Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Amid historic deal, Gaza pastor says little is left after ‘tsunami’ of destruction October 13, 2025By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Historic momentum is felt across the Middle East as thousands gathered Oct. 11 in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the last mass gathering before the hostage release expected to take place Oct. 13, and tens of thousands of Palestinians started to make their way back to their homes in northern Gaza Strip.
Pope: Palestinians, Israelis must see each other as brothers, sisters October 13, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News With the start of the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Gaza, Pope Leo XIV prayed for a just and lasting peace that respects all people.
Holy Land patriarch welcomes announcement of initial peace deal ‘with joy’ as ‘first step’ October 9, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomed “with joy” the announcement of an initial agreement between Hamas and Israel in an Oct. 9 statement, but also stressed the “absolute urgency” for the “immediate” and “unconditional” entry of humanitarian relief and sufficient aid into Gaza.
Trump says Israel, Hamas ‘have both signed off’ on first phase of White House peace proposal October 9, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Israel and Hamas “have both signed off” on the first phase of a White House peace proposal for Gaza, President Donald Trump said late Oct. 8 in a social media post.
Top Vatican official sees ‘perverse spiral of hatred’ in Israel-Gaza war October 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Hamas attack on Israel two years ago “was inhuman and indefensible,” the Vatican secretary of state said, and Israel’s two-year-long war on Gaza has had “disastrous and inhuman consequences.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomes ceasefire talks as first step, urges prayer, perseverance October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As indirect ceasefire talks began in Egypt between Israel and Hamas Oct. 6 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt — aimed at finalizing a ceasefire deal based on a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump — the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem lauded it as an “important and long-awaited first step.”
After Oct. 7 attack, Jewish man who chose forgiveness over revenge works for peace October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News For Maoz Inon, the past two years have been a personal journey from profound loss and anger toward the Israeli government to embracing “radical forgiveness” and working for lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace through InterAct — the NGO he co-founded with Palestinian partners Aziz Abu Sarah and Hamze Awawde.
Washington Roundup: Shutdown continues; Hamas agrees to hostage release after Trump Gaza proposal October 3, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, U.S. Congress, World News The federal government shutdown stretched into its third day with indications it would continue after lawmakers once again failed to pass a spending bill.
World must recommit to peace, justice, truth, Vatican diplomat tells UN October 1, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News As the world grapples with “mounting challenges,” the global community must “recommit to the foundational pillars” of peace, justice and truth, learning from history and building a more equitable future, a top Vatican diplomat told the United Nations.
