World Leaders Convene in Egypt to Support Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

World leaders convened in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to support a ceasefire agreement intended to end the two-year conflict in Gaza. The summit, co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, aims to facilitate the implementation of the ceasefire and address post-war reconstruction efforts.

Notably, Israel and Hamas, the primary parties to the conflict, did not attend the summit. Israel has rejected any role in Gaza for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose leader is present at the meeting. Leaders from Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, the United Nations, and the European Union are participating.

The summit coincides with Hamas's scheduled release of 20 remaining Israeli hostages and Israel's planned release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, following the ceasefire that began on Friday. These actions are seen as crucial steps toward peace, though significant challenges remain, including disarming Hamas, establishing a post-war government for Gaza, and determining the extent of Israel's withdrawal from the territory.

Egyptian President el-Sissi's office stated that the summit aims to "end the war" in Gaza and "usher in a new page of peace and regional stability" in line with President Trump's vision. In March, Egypt proposed a post-war plan for Gaza that would allow its 2.3 million residents to remain, countering an earlier plan to depopulate the territory.

The conference is expected to last about two hours, with el-Sissi and Trump anticipated to issue a joint statement afterward. Discussions will likely focus on the immediate implementation of the ceasefire and the coordination of international support for Gaza's reconstruction, estimated at $53 billion. Egypt plans to host a future conference dedicated to this rebuilding effort.

Sharm el-Sheikh, known for hosting numerous peace negotiations over the decades, serves as the venue for this significant diplomatic gathering. The resort town has a history of facilitating discussions between Israel and the Palestinians, underscoring its role in regional peace efforts.