Israel’s government approves ceasefire deal in Gaza
Israel’s cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan. A statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, issued in the early hours, said “The government has just approved the framework for the release of all the hostages — both the living and the deceased”. A ceasefire will come into effect within 24 hours and Israeli troops will begin to withdraw from Gaza to an agreed line. The hostages will be released within 72 hours – they are expected to return on Monday or Tuesday – while Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans who have been held since 7 October. A ‘joint task force’ that could include soldiers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE will monitor the ceasefire under US Central Command, which will also facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza have reacted with relief and jubilation to the announcement of a ceasefire deal. Al Jazeera reports residents in Khan Younis took to the streets to celebrate. There were jubilant scenes in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv, as hundreds of people gathered in celebration. Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari filmed her celebration, and wrote an article for The Times on how captivity changed her.
The cost of war: ‘a catastrophic humanitarian disaster’
As of 7 October 2025, more than 70,100 people – 68,172 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis – have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, 217 journalists and media workers have been killed, 120 academics, and more than 224 humanitarian aid workers including 179 employees of UNRWA. A study by OHCHR, found 70 per cent of the Palestinians killed in residential buildings or similar housing were women and children. The Red Cross reports that Gaza is experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian disaster. 2.1 million people face extreme hunger, 470,000 people face starvation, the health system has collapsed and Gaza’s critical infrastructure, including services vital for electricity, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, is devastated.
Aid agencies warn the ceasefire must hold and aid must flow into Gaza
The Christian organisation Tearfund has welcomed news of the peace agreement but says that without a lasting ceasefire and free-flowing aid to Gaza, more lives will be lost: “Hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip are starving to death and each new hour without life-saving food, water and medical supplies is costing lives. Aid must be allowed through, immediately, at scale and through experienced, principled agencies, not the military-controlled Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.” It says its partner organisation mis ready to scale up quickly with medical supplies.
Islamic Relief also warns that world leaders must ensure there is a permanent end to war, new commitments are adhered to and parties held accountable for any violations. There must be no restrictions to humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. “There is no time to waste, as children are starving to death every day in a man-made famine and homes, hospitals, schools and other essential services are now rubble. Today’s announcement alone does not stop the famine. Islamic Relief is ready to massively scale up our current lifesaving aid and help reconstruction efforts as soon as restrictions on humanitarian access are lifted.”
Christian Aid warns that “a return to the old status quo will only doom Palestinians and Israelis to more tragedy. As the ceasefire takes hold, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Clean water, food, medical care and shelter are still desperately needed, and widespread trauma will take years to heal. World leaders must seize this moment to provide the energy, commitment and principle needed to deliver justice, dignity and prosperity for all. A sustainable peace is more than the absence of violence. It means ending the occupation of all Palestinian territory – including the West Bank and East Jerusalem – full accountability and treating Palestinians and Israelis as equals”.
Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD Country representative for Middle East, said: “This is a moment of hope and opportunity. Partners in Gaza told us this morning, ‘It is good news. A first step, we have to rejoice about this’. After two years of almost constant bombardment, a ceasefire will bring moments of quiet, to simply breathe or to begin to grieve for all that has been lost. There needs to be a massive increase in aid now into Gaza with unimpeded access to food, water and healthcare to reverse the spread of famine and malnutrition. Bringing an end to hostilities and releasing all hostages is a vital first step, but we must not imagine that this is the end. The UK Government and international community must use all levers to ensure accountability for all violations of international and humanitarian law. The occupation of Palestinian territory must end. There is a long road to recovery ahead and the hard work to ensure a long term, sustainable and just peace must begin now.”
Faith leaders respond – ‘the beginning of the end of this terrible war’
Summary of reaction from the world’s leaders is in a BBC report here
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said: “We give thanks for the news that all hostages will soon be coming home, amidst significant moves towards a resolution of the bitter, two-year conflict. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the hostages, whose horrific unimaginable ordeal is not yet over, as they wait to find out the fate of their loved ones”.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomed the deal “with joy”. A statement said: “The Patriarchate ardently hopes that this accord will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war. It also stresses the absolute urgency of immediate humanitarian relief and the unconditional entry of sufficient aid to Gaza’s suffering population. Above all, the Patriarchate prays that this step may open a path of healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis.” His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared: “It is good news, and we are very happy. It is a first step, the first phase..We hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase where we can, little by little, start thinking not about war, but about how to rebuild after the war.”
The Anglican bishops of Southwark, Chelmsford, Gloucester and Norwich, welcomed the Gaza peace deal, praying that it will “bring immediate relief and comfort”. They called for a “fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviour” to secure long term peace, saying what had happened in Israel and Gaza “must never be allowed to happen again, anywhere” and pledged to continue to stand in solidarity with the Churches of the Holy Land.
Other news:
Andy Burnham calls for politics “with trust, community, faith and connection at its heart”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, used the Theos annual lecture in Manchester last night to call for a new way of doing politics — “with trust, community, faith and connection at its heart.” Around 400 people packed into Methodist Central Hall to hear him speak on the theme “Faith in Devolution.” Mr Burnham criticised Westminster politics as “top-down” and “soulless,” saying that by ignoring the spiritual, it ignored what really matters to people. He described a crisis of trust in society but argued that local government could help repair it by fostering “a culture of encounter” — a phrase he attributed to Pope Francis, whom he met at the Vatican two years ago, calling it “the greatest privilege of my life.” Offering advice to the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, Sarah Mullally, he urged her to “get that Bishop of Newcastle close to you,” praising Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley for her courage in confronting injustice where she saw it.
Teacher trainee bursary for Religious Education to be removed from 2026
The Department for Education is to scrap the £10,000 teacher training bursary for Religious Education from 2026–27, despite RE recruitment reaching only 54 per cent of its target this year. The RE Policy Unit warns the move will worsen the national teacher shortage and undermine the subject’s future. The bursary, reinstated in 2024 after years of under-recruitment, had led to a 40 per cent rise in applications. Without it, the Policy Unit says universities may close teacher training PGCE courses in RE, as already announced by the University of Birmingham. RE remains a legal requirement in schools, yet half of RE teachers are non-specialists. RE Policy Unit chair, Deborah Weston, said the decision is devastating and “threatens high-quality RE when schools need it most”, urging the government to reverse the cut and work with universities and faith communities to rebuild the RE teacher workforce.
Pope calls for Christians to take action against poverty
Pope Leo has released the first major document of his papacy “Dilexi te”, meaning “I have loved you”, calling on Christians to decry the structures that lead to poverty. The document known as an Apostolic Exhortation, says there has been insufficient action to remove the causes of poverty, with economic “rules” that increase wealth for a few but also increase inequality. It points out the need to observe the right to education and the rights of migrants and seeks ways of combatting the “throwaway culture”. The Vatican says the document continues ideals of Pope Francis, warning that there will be no peace if the poor and the planet are neglected and mistreated. Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ said: “Treating the poor with dignity is the first act of peace. Only a society that places the marginalized at its centre can be truly peaceful, and only a world composed of such societies can be at peace.” Crux Now report here.
Pope says US church must be more forceful on ‘unjust’ treatment of migrants
An American delegation from El Paso in Texas, has met the Pope to discuss the impact of US policy against migrants, with security raids, detention and deportation. Bishop Mark Seitz, Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Celino and Dylan Corbett of Hope Border Institute, gave Pope Leo handwritten letters from migrant families saying they lived in a state of constant anxiety, staying indoors and fearing deportation and separation from their families. Pope Leo is reported to have become “visibly emotional” upon receiving the messages, telling the group: “The Church cannot stay silent before injustice”. CNA reports that the Pope told the delegation that the church in the United States needs “to be more united and forceful on this issue, and that what’s happening right now is an injustice.”
Reviews continue into Heaton Park synagogue killing
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has said the officers who fired the shots in the Heaton Park synagogue attack, killing the attacker and a member of the synagogue, are being treated as witnesses. The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, has issued a statement saying the IOPC findings confirm that “no misconduct is apparent in the actions required of our officers in bringing this dreadful attack to an end.” Police have confirmed that Adrian Daulby, who tried to barricade the doors, died after suffering a single gunshot wound, while another man also injured is still in hospital. A 30 year old man arrested and released, has been re-arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of failing to disclose information, and is now on bail. The Times reports that the synagogue attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, had previously attended a mosque which was reported to the Charity Commission in 2023, over a sermon allegedly fuelling antisemitism. One week on, the Heaton Park synagogue congregation held a memorial service at the scene of the attack, and other synagogues across Britain also held moments of reflection for the victims.
Man convicted for burning Quran appeals his conviction
A man convicted of burning a copy of the Quran, is appealing his conviction at Southwark Crown Court this week. Hamit Coskun, aged 50, argues that his act was legitimate political protest protected by free speech. He was found guilty in June of a religiously aggravated public order offence, but Coskun says his “symbolic, non-violent expression of dissent” opposed rising theocracy in Turkey, not Islam itself. Backed by the National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union, he is claiming that the ruling violates his Article 10 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The NSS says his conviction turns public order law into “a modern blasphemy law.” The court had found Coskun’s actions “disorderly” because an onlooker attacked him. The appeal, overseen by a High Court judge, challenges both the conviction and its religious aggravation.
Church worker who stole £100,000 from Diocese of Westminster appears in court
A church worker who stole almost £100,000 from the Diocese of Westminster after being trusted to handle donations has admitted nine counts of theft. Francisca Yawson, 37, transferred funds to her own accounts while working as a gift aid and operations technician for the Roman Catholic Church in central London. Southwark Crown Court heard she tried to conceal the thefts by cycling money through several accounts, spending much of it on beauty products, John Lewis and JD Sports purchases. The offences took place between September 2018 and August 2019 but the case was delayed for four years after the police mistakenly closed the investigation. Lawson, who is heavily pregnant with her fourth child, appeared in court without having told her family or arranged care for her children. The judge released her on bail but told her to “stop burying your head in the sand” and to make plans in case she faces jail when she is sentenced in February. Court report here
