The Sovereign Order of Malta welcomes the Gaza ceasefire agreement that came into force earlier today, stressing that the end of the hostilities should be aimed first and foremost at improving the humanitarian situation of the people of Gaza and ensuring the full release of the hostages.

The Order reiterates its solidarity to the families of the victims of the heinous attacks of 7 October 2023 and to the families of the hostages.

The people of Gaza have suffered heavily from extensive material destruction to the social infrastructures and the economy, profound psychological traumas as well as the massive disruption of basic social services.

The agreement which has entered into force should be implemented swiftly with the aim of enabling the early resumption of decent living conditions for the population of Gaza.

To this end, access to humanitarian aid should be immediately facilitated, increased in volume and enhanced.

The Order of Malta has been providing food aid to the population in Gaza City since May 2024, in close cooperation with the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, the Catholic Parish of Gaza City and Caritas. This flow of aid will continue as long as it is needed.

The Order of Malta is ready to extend the scope of its assistance to the population of Gaza as soon as the political and security conditions on the ground permit and within the reconstruction process.

The Order of Malta reaffirms its strong attachment to the Holy Land, recalling that its long-standing assistance to the Palestinian people covers different areas and sectors, through the work of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem as well as mobile clinics and other forms of aid in the West Bank.

The Order of Malta looks forward to the stabilization processes and reconstruction efforts in Palestine, in Lebanon and in Syria. The rich and diverse fabric of cultures, religions and ethnic communities in the Middle East should be preserved as one of the main pillars of efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region.

The Order of Malta expresses its hope that the agreement will last and be implemented without impediments and disruptions and that appropriate conditions will be set through negotiations for a solution which meets the needs and the expectations of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, in accordance with international law and guarantees of security, peaceful coexistence and mutual cooperation.