Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – October 13, 2025 – In a landmark gathering poised to reshape the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi today co-chaired the 2025 Gaza Peace Summit at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre, drawing representatives from over 30 countries and international bodies to chart a path toward lasting stability in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Trump, arriving fresh from a regional tour that included Israel, struck an optimistic tone, proclaiming to reporters en route, "The war is over," signaling confidence in the fragile ceasefire that halted hostilities just three days ago on October 10.
The summit, Egypt's bold initiative to consolidate gains from marathon negotiations, focuses on implementing the first phase of a comprehensive Gaza peace plan, emphasizing reconstruction, governance reforms, and humanitarian aid amid the rubble of the 2023–2025 Israel-Hamas war. Al-Sisi, whose nation has mediated tirelessly between Israel and Hamas, hailed the event as a "victory lap" for diplomacy, crediting Trump's personal involvement in brokering the truce that includes phased hostage releases set to begin imminently.
A Stellar Lineup of Global Leaders
The convention centre buzzed with arrivals from across the globe, underscoring the summit's broad international buy-in. Key attendees include:
Arab World: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kuwait's Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, and Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
Europe: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and European Council President António Costa.
Asia and Beyond: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Indian Minister of State Kirti Vardan Singh, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and Japanese Ambassador Iwai Fumio.
Others: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and representatives from the United Arab Emirates (Vice President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan).
International heavyweights rounding out the roster are UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Agenda: From Ceasefire to Reconstruction
Delegates are set to deliberate on critical pillars: stabilizing Gaza through immediate humanitarian corridors, outlining a post-war governance model—potentially involving a reformed Palestinian Authority—and securing commitments for billions in reconstruction funding. Sessions will address security guarantees to prevent flare-ups, with Trump pushing his signature plan that envisions economic incentives alongside political concessions. Al-Sisi emphasized Egypt's frontline role, noting Cairo's success in facilitating the initial truce and ongoing captive swaps between Israel and Hamas.
As the first phase unfolds, reports indicate Israel and Hamas are preparing to exchange captives today, a tangible step toward de-escalation that Trump touted as proof of the plan's viability.
Notable Snubs and Lingering Tensions
Not all invitations were accepted, casting shadows over the optimism. Iran declined to participate, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi citing U.S. aggression—including recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites—as untenable for dialogue. More glaringly, Israel opted out entirely, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirming no delegation would attend, amid disputes over Gaza's future administration. Hamas echoed the absence, stating it would engage via mediators like Egypt and Qatar rather than directly.
Critics, including Palestinian activists, decry the summit's framework for sidelining core issues like a two-state solution, while Netanyahu's rejection of any PA role in Gaza underscores deep rifts. Yet, with the ceasefire holding and global eyes on Sharm El-Sheikh, proponents argue this forum could forge the elusive peace that has eluded the region for decades.
As plenary sessions commence this afternoon, the world watches whether Trump's deal-making flair and al-Sisi's diplomatic gravitas can bridge divides—or if unresolved flashpoints will derail the momentum. Updates are expected throughout the day.
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