Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A major diplomatic breakthrough appears to be unfolding in the Middle East, as former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to host an international summit in Egypt following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The move has been accompanied by a rare show of unity among key Palestinian factions, who issued a joint statement on Friday celebrating what they describe as a political and military victory against Israeli aggression.
The joint statement signed by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was issued in response to the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement that aims to end the war in Gaza. The factions hailed the resilience of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, amid what they described as “Zionist crimes,” and praised the “heroism of the resistance,” which they claim inflicted significant losses on Israeli forces.
“We salute the steadfastness of our people and the support fronts in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq for their unwavering backing of the Palestinian cause,” the statement read. The factions also expressed deep appreciation for the mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and called on the United States and other international sponsors to ensure full compliance with the terms of the agreement.
The ceasefire deal comes after weeks of intensive negotiations held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, where high-level representatives from all parties were present. These included Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Rashad, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
President Trump confirmed the ceasefire in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a broader peace plan. “This means all hostages will be released very soon, and Israeli forces will withdraw to an agreed-upon line. This is the first step toward a strong, lasting, and eternal peace. All parties will be treated fairly,” Trump said.
The agreement includes provisions for the release of hostages and detainees on both sides, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and security guarantees to prevent a resumption of hostilities. Negotiators also discussed Hamas’s demands for full access to aid and assurances that Israel would not resume military operations after the initial prisoner exchange.
The Palestinian factions emphasized that the deal marks a political and security failure for Israeli plans aimed at mass displacement and territorial control. “This is only the beginning of the end of the aggression, the lifting of the siege, and the liberation of hundreds of prisoners,” the statement said, stressing their continued commitment to securing the release of all Palestinian detainees.
As part of the broader diplomatic effort, Trump is expected to convene a high-level summit in Egypt next week, attended by an array of global and regional leaders. According to sources close to the planning, invitations have been extended to leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to co-host the summit alongside Trump. Turkish and Qatari leaders are also expected to attend.
While it remains unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be present, the summit is being positioned as a platform for launching a more comprehensive peace initiative in the region. The event is likely to coincide with the formal signing of the ceasefire agreement on Monday.
This flurry of diplomatic activity comes after one of the most devastating conflicts in Gaza in recent history. Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 169,000 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The international response to the ceasefire has been cautiously optimistic, with several Western and Arab capitals expressing support for Trump’s mediation efforts. The Palestinian factions, meanwhile, have urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for fully implementing the terms of the agreement, warning that any deviation could reignite the conflict.
As the dust settles, the ceasefire agreement represents both a fragile truce and a potential turning point in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. Whether it will hold and whether broader peace is achievable remains to be seen.
