Trump, Al-Sisi to Co-Host Gaza Peace Summit with Over 20 World Leaders
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – A summit aimed at solidifying peace and stability in the Middle East will be co-hosted today by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, following President Trump’s visit to Israel to address the Knesset and meet with families of hostages.
The meeting, taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, will gather more than 20 world leaders to discuss ending the war in the Gaza Strip and establishing a new era of regional security, according to the Egyptian presidency. Attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, among others. The success of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release deal, as well as the potential alignment of future stages with Trump’s previously outlined peace plan, are expected to be central to the discussions.
President Trump, who yesterday told reporters “the war is over,” will be seeking to advance his vision for peace, particularly regarding the governance of Gaza after the conflict and the future of Hamas. Notably, Israeli officials will not be present at the summit, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed. Iran, despite an invitation from Egypt, has also declined to participate, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating on X that Iranian officials cannot engage with countries that have “attacked the Iranian People.” This summit represents a critical juncture in the region, as sustained peace could reshape geopolitical dynamics for decades to come. For background on the recent conflict, see the Council on Foreign Relations’ coverage of the Gaza conflict.
Representatives from Hamas will not be involved in the summit, with a political bureau member stating the group “acted principally through … Qatari and Egyptian mediators” during previous negotiations. Officials anticipate further discussions on the long-term implications of the ceasefire and the path toward lasting stability in the region.
