Trump and Al-Sisi to Lead Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt on Monday

Donald Trump, former President of the United States, and Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, President of Egypt, are set to chair a significant peace summit focused on the Gaza conflict in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, March 18, 2024. The Egyptian presidency announced that the summit will involve leaders from over 20 countries and aims to “end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability.”

High-profile attendees include António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, alongside leaders such as Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Emmanuel Macron of France, and Pedro Sánchez of Spain. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also expected to participate, while it remains unclear if Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will attend. Notably, Hamas has confirmed it will not participate in the summit.

The meeting follows a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which emerged after intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh. These discussions, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, included key U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and led to a deal that allows for a prisoner exchange and an increase in humanitarian aid to the region.

Recent Tragedies and Human Impact

On March 16, 2024, a tragic car crash claimed the lives of three Qatari diplomats in Sharm el-Sheikh, further overshadowing the summit. According to security sources, two additional diplomats sustained injuries in the incident.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to reports, over 67,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians, have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict. The war escalated following a Hamas-led incursion into Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages.

As the ceasefire took effect, thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in northern Gaza on Saturday. Many made the journey by foot, car, and cart, despite the devastation that awaited them. Nabila Basa, a resident who returned with her daughter, expressed her relief, stating, “It is an indescribable feeling; praise be to God. We are very, very happy that the war has stopped, and the suffering has ended.”

Yet, for others, the return home is fraught with despair. Ahmed al-Jabari lamented the loss of his home, saying, “My house, which I built 40 years ago, was gone in a moment. I’m happy that there is no blood, no killing, but where will we go? Will we live 20 years in a tent?”

As world leaders gather in Egypt, the outcomes of this summit could shape the future of peace efforts in the region and provide a pathway toward recovery for those affected by the conflict. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that addresses the deep-seated issues fueling the ongoing violence.