Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a pivotal moment for the region, Egypt has officially announced that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will attend the international peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from more than 20 countries.
The summit, formally titled the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, is being co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President Trump, and is intended to reinforce the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and lay the groundwork for long-term peace and regional stability.
According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Presidency, the participation of both Netanyahu and Abbas aims to “cement the ceasefire agreement and affirm the shared commitment to ending the war in Gaza.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Netanyahu’s formal declaration that the war on Gaza has ended, following the return of all living Israeli hostages previously held by Hamas. The hostage release, part of the first phase of a U.S.-mediated deal, also includes the planned release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons.
Hamas has already handed over two batches of Israeli captives, in exchange for the phased release of Palestinian prisoners. The successful execution of these terms has led to an unprecedented diplomatic opening.
Summit Agenda and Key Meetings
The summit’s proceedings are scheduled to begin late Monday morning with the arrival of international delegations and bilateral meetings between world leaders. President Sisi will first receive attending heads of state, followed by the arrival of President Trump.
The agenda includes:
- A private bilateral meeting between President Sisi and President Trump
- A high-level photo opportunity featuring all participating leaders
- A formal signing ceremony of the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Agreement
- Opening speeches from President Sisi and President Trump
- Closed-door multilateral sessions on Gaza’s reconstruction, security, and regional diplomacy
A Broad Coalition of Support
A diverse group of nations has confirmed participation in the summit, reflecting wide international interest in securing a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Confirmed attendees include:
- Middle East and Muslim-majority nations: Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, and Indonesia
- Major regional players: Israel and the Palestinian Authority
- Asian and European countries: India, Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Spain
- Global institutions: The United Nations Secretary-General, the Arab League Secretary-General, and the President of the European Council
The delegation-level participation includes kings, presidents, prime ministers, deputy leaders, and senior ministers.
Trump’s Vision for Peace
The summit marks the culmination of a series of diplomatic maneuvers spearheaded by President Trump and his Middle East team, including son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump is expected to reiterate what he called in earlier remarks “the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
Ahead of the summit, Trump told reporters:
“This ceasefire is not just the end of a war it’s the beginning of a future. For the first time in decades, Israeli and Palestinian leaders will sit in the same room with a common purpose: peace and progress.”
He is also expected to emphasize economic development as the cornerstone of post-conflict recovery, especially for Gaza, where infrastructure and public services have been devastated by the war.
A Symbolic Setting, a Fragile Hope
Sharm el-Sheikh, long a backdrop for regional diplomacy, is again at the center of global attention. The summit venue—flanked by the Red Sea and secured under heavy guard is hosting its most high-stakes gathering in over a decade.
Despite the optimism surrounding the ceasefire and the release of hostages, analysts warn that lasting peace will require sustained political commitment, public support, and a willingness from all sides to engage beyond symbolism.
Still, with Netanyahu, Abbas, and Trump all present at the same summit and backed by a diverse and high-powered international coalition hopes are rising that this moment may represent more than a temporary pause in conflict.
