All eyes are on Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, as it prepares to host a high-profile international summit on Monday aimed at solidifying a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The summit boasts a distinguished international presence, reportedly including U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside leaders from major global powers. Notably absent, however, are representatives from Hamas. The Egyptian Presidency announced the summit on Saturday evening, confirming Trump’s participation and the broad involvement of key global and regional players. President Trump is expected to arrive in the Middle East on Sunday evening to attend the signing ceremony of the anticipated peace agreement, potentially marking the end of two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to international media reports.
Trump’s visit follows his announcement early Thursday morning that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement, brokered through Qatari and Egyptian mediation. Israeli media outlets have also reported that President Trump will meet with families of Israeli hostages during his visit.
Hamas has officially stated its non-participation in the summit. Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, told Agence France-Presse that Hamas “will not be involved,” noting that the movement “primarily worked through Qatari and Egyptian mediators” in previous negotiations. There has also been no official announcement regarding the participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The American news website Axios quoted a U.S. official stating that Netanyahu’s attendance is “not expected at this time.” The Palestinian Authority also appears unlikely to be represented at the international event.
On the European front, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to arrive in Egypt on Monday, demonstrating his support for the peace plan, according to French media reports. Leaders or foreign ministers from European Union nations, including Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, are also anticipated to attend. Representatives from regional countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia are also expected to participate.
Egyptian government sources have announced that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will receive U.S. President Donald Trump in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the agreement signing ceremony will be held under Egyptian and international auspices. An official Egyptian government statement confirmed that Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati held a phone call with his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio, to discuss the final arrangements for the summit, amidst heightened security and logistical preparations in the coastal city.
This summit arrives at a critical juncture, with international stakeholders hoping it will contribute to stabilizing the truce, transitioning to a reconstruction phase in the Gaza Strip, and opening a new chapter of stability after years of conflict.
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Source: External reference
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Written by Noor Eleslam
