El-Sissi and Trump Co-Chair Summit, Calling for Peace in Gaza

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and US President Donald Trump convened a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, addressing the future of Gaza and a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. At the summit, attended by more than 20 world leaders, El-Sissi declared Trump’s proposal as the “last chance” for lasting peace in the region.

The gathering, which took place in the Egyptian resort city, aimed to solidify support for a recently brokered ceasefire deal that ended Israel’s extensive military operations in Gaza, which had persisted for over two years. The conflict resulted in significant devastation across numerous neighborhoods, prompting urgent calls for reconstruction and stability.

Among the leaders present were King Abdullah of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the French President, and the British Prime Minister. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair also attended, with potential plans to join a “Board of Peace” tasked with overseeing Gaza’s interim governance as outlined in Trump’s framework.

Trump expressed gratitude towards the assembled leaders, stating, “this is probably the greatest assemblage of countries in terms of wealth and power maybe ever assembled, and it’s just an honour to be a part of it.” He emphasized the unique opportunity at hand to resolve longstanding conflicts, urging participants to move beyond historical grievances.

During the summit, Trump acknowledged the pivotal roles played by Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt in facilitating the ceasefire. In a significant step forward, he and the leaders of these nations signed a document formalizing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, marking a key milestone in the efforts to stabilize Gaza.

Two-State Solution Reiterated

El-Sissi reiterated the necessity of a two-state solution, a concept that has faced opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Trump’s proposals do not preclude the formation of a Palestinian state, they suggest this could only occur after a prolonged transitional period in Gaza and following reforms initiated by the Palestinian Authority (PA).

European Council President Antonio Costa echoed El-Sissi’s sentiments, asserting that a just and sustainable peace must be rooted in the two-state solution. Costa reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting transitional governance and the recovery process in Gaza, highlighting ongoing assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

In a ceremonial gesture, El-Sissi awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, Egypt’s highest civilian honour, recognizing his efforts in championing peace initiatives in the region. The summit concluded with a renewed sense of hope among participants for a collaborative approach to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.