World Leaders to Convene in Egypt for ‘Peace Summit’ as Hostage Releases Expected
By The Media Line Staff
An international “Peace Summit” will take place Monday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, coinciding with the expected release of all remaining Israeli hostages under the first phase of the Trump-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will co-chair the summit with President Donald Trump, bringing together leaders from more than 20 countries for what organizers describe as a historic step toward ending the Gaza war and launching a new era of regional stability.
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, the gathering aims to “end the war in the Gaza Strip, strengthen efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and open a new page of regional security and stability.” Israel will not participate in the summit.
Among the confirmed attendees are UN Secretary-General António Guterres, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Starmer’s office said he will “pay particular tribute” to Trump’s role in the ceasefire and urge international coordination to advance the next phases of the peace plan. He is expected to thank Egypt, Qatar and Turkey for helping reach the current agreement and to reaffirm the UK’s “steadfast support” for humanitarian aid and long-term peace efforts.
Macron will “express his full support for the implementation of the agreement,” the Élysée Palace said Saturday. The summit will also feature a ceremonial signing of the Gaza peace plan, described by Downing Street as marking “a historic turning point for the region after two years of conflict and bloodshed.”
The first phase of the deal requires Hamas to release all Israeli hostages—20 believed to be alive and up to 28 deceased—by noon Monday. In return, Israel will free around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, while increasing humanitarian aid shipments into the enclave.
Trump told reporters Friday that he would address the Knesset before heading to Egypt, adding, “We have a lot of leaders from all over the world coming too, they’ve been invited.” The summit follows Israel’s partial military withdrawal from Gaza and the establishment of a civil-military coordination center in Israel involving up to 200 US troops and forces from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
The ceasefire was approved by Israel’s government Thursday after three days of indirect talks in Egypt, marking the first tangible step toward ending the war that began with the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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