Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a powerful display of international diplomacy, world leaders gathered in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday for the “Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit,” co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit, attended by heads of state, prime ministers, and senior officials from over twenty countries, aims to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to forge a sustainable path toward peace and stability in the Middle East.
Held under the banner of multilateral cooperation, the summit comes at a time of mounting humanitarian and geopolitical urgency, as the war in Gaza continues to threaten the wider region. Both President El-Sisi and President Trump expressed strong commitment to steering the situation toward de-escalation and broader peace.
President Trump Praises Egypt’s Role in Gaza
In a series of remarks made ahead of the summit, President Trump lauded El-Sisi’s leadership, stating that “President El-Sisi has done a fantastic job to stop the war in Gaza.” He further described Egypt’s contribution as “remarkable” and reiterated his personal support, saying, “I’ve always supported President El-Sisi. Egypt is doing a great job, and we stand with the Egyptian leadership to the end.”
Trump emphasized the significance of the summit in charting a new course for the region. “We expect major developments in the peace process. This summit is part of a greater vision for a more stable Middle East—one where dialogue replaces violence, and cooperation replaces conflict,” he said.
President El-Sisi: President Trump is a Driving Force for Peace
Echoing the sentiment, President El-Sisi expressed deep appreciation for Trump’s continued support for peace in the region. “We value President Trump’s role in pushing forward peace efforts in the Middle East,” El-Sisi stated during a bilateral meeting with the former U.S. president. “He is the only one who can make peace a reality in our region.”
The Egyptian president also stressed that the summit represents a turning point not only for Gaza but for the broader Middle East. “This is not merely a response to a crisis, but the beginning of a new phase of regional and international engagement toward stability and coexistence,” he said.
A High-Level Gathering for Peace
The summit attracted an extraordinary lineup of global leaders and representatives, underscoring the international community’s collective urgency to end the war in Gaza and prevent its expansion.
Confirmed attendees included the King of Jordan, the Emir of Qatar, the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Pakistan, as well as the Presidents of France, Turkey, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus. High-ranking officials from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and other Arab states also took part.
Notably, both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were in attendance, marking a rare moment where leaders from both sides of the conflict were present at the same negotiating forum. The United Nations Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the Arab League also participated, along with European Union leaders and envoys from Asia and Latin America.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was among the high-profile international figures present, further elevating the diplomatic weight of the event.
Toward a New Chapter in the Middle East
The summit’s core agenda focused on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid corridors, and the initiation of a broader framework for long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Discussions also extended to regional cooperation on security, economic development, and rebuilding war-torn communities.
This high-level diplomatic initiative is closely aligned with Trump’s broader post-presidency agenda, which continues to emphasize global conflict resolution and peace-building. The former president’s involvement in the summit reflects both his ongoing influence in international diplomacy and his strategic interest in Middle Eastern affairs.
Egypt, meanwhile, is reinforcing its position as a central player in mediating regional conflicts. Under President El-Sisi’s leadership, Cairo has frequently served as a vital bridge between Arab nations and the broader international community, particularly on issues related to Palestine and Israel.
A Rare Moment of Unity
Despite the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics, the summit created a rare moment of international unity. While tangible outcomes remain to be seen, the symbolism of global powers convening under one roof to end the Gaza war sends a powerful message of hope.
As the summit continues, expectations remain high that it could lay the groundwork for a new diplomatic era one rooted in cooperation rather than confrontation, and diplomacy rather than destruction.
Whether this historic gathering will translate into lasting peace is yet to be determined, but for now, Sharm El-Sheikh has become the focal point of the world’s hope for an end to one of the most persistent conflicts of our time.
