World Leaders Convene in Egypt for Gaza Peace Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are set to co-chair a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, aiming to finalize an agreement to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The summit will bring together over 20 global leaders, including those from Europe and the Arab world, underscoring Egypt's role in facilitating diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the U.S., marks the first phase of efforts to end a devastating two-year war that has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. As part of the deal, Hamas is expected to release its remaining Israeli hostages by Monday, in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

President Trump plans to visit Israel prior to the summit, where he will deliver a speech at the Knesset and meet with families of hostages. Following this, he will travel to Egypt to participate in the summit.

Despite the progress, key issues such as postwar governance in Gaza and Hamas' disarmament remain unresolved. The U.S. has announced support for postwar stabilization in Gaza but will not deploy its troops to the region.

European Council President António Costa will represent the European Union at the summit. A spokesperson for Costa stated that the plan offers a real chance to build a just and sustainable peace, and the EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to its implementation.

The summit aims to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security and stability, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.