Egypt (Parliament Politics Magazine) – US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-chair a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheik with 20 countries.
Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-lead a Gaza peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, joined by several world leaders.
Which countries are joining the Gaza peace summit?
US media reports the Gaza peace summit invitations include Azerbaijan, Armenia, El Salvador, Canada, Kuwait, Japan, India, Spain, Bahrain, and Hungary. Axios reports Iran also received an invitation, while Israel will not attend.
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, will attend the Gaza summit. He will be joined by confirmed leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Axios, Gaza summit invitations were extended to leaders and foreign ministers from Germany, the USA, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
Mohamed El-Shennawy’s views on the Gaza summit
Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, said the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit will be held on Monday afternoon, October 13.
He confirmed participation of leaders from more than 20 countries is expected.
The summit aims to
“end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability.”
Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal
The Gaza summit comes after a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, reached following days of intense indirect negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh. Over 67,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s offensive on Gaza, the majority of them civilians.
The war began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey mediated negotiations, joined by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks led to a truce and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The announcement came as thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza returned to the ruins of their homes. They traveled on foot and by vehicle.
Donald Trump’s stance on the Gaza summit plans
President Trump will depart Washington overnight, arriving in Tel Aviv to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before heading to Egypt.
He said,
“We have a lot of leaders from all over the world coming.”
Mr Trump admitted that uncertainties remain regarding the move from the initial phase of the deal to the next steps.
He added,
“I think there’s consensus on most of it, and some of the details, like anything else, will be worked out, because you’ll find out that when you’re sitting in a beautiful room in Egypt … it’s easy to work something out, but then sometimes it doesn’t work from a practical standpoint.”
What did Hamas say about the Gaza summit signing?
A Hamas official confirmed the group will not participate in the peace deal signing in Egypt.
Hossam Badran, a political bureau member, said, “The matter of the official signing – we will not be involved,” adding, Hamas “acted principally through… Qatari and Egyptian mediators” during ceasefire discussions.
He added,
“The second phase of the Trump plan, as it is clear from the points themselves, contains many complexities and difficulties. Talk about expelling Palestinians, whether they’re Hamas members or not, from their land is absurd and nonsense.”
What will Sir Keir Starmer say about Trump’s Gaza deal?
At a Monday summit, Keir Starmer will praise Donald Trump’s leadership on the Gaza peace deal.
The Prime Minister is expected to describe the White House-backed pact as “a historic turning point” for the Middle East.
Number 10 said Mr. Starmer will pay “particular tribute” to President Trump and the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
Key details about Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan
A ceasefire is in effect, with Hamas set to release all remaining Israeli hostages while Israel frees around 1,950 Palestinian prisoners. Gaza will be temporarily run by a technocratic committee overseen by an international Board of Peace, chaired by Donald Trump and Tony Blair.
The Israeli military has started gradually pulling back from parts of Gaza. Hamas must fully disarm, with amnesty or safe passage offered to those who do.