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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to co-chair an international peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, aimed at consolidating a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and charting a path toward broader regional stability, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency released late Saturday.
The gathering, to be held in the Red Sea resort city, will bring together leaders from more than 20 nations, including the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, whose participation was confirmed by his spokesperson. The summit follows the second day of a ceasefire agreement that halted months of hostilities in Gaza.
A U.S. official confirmed that Greece and Cyprus were among the countries invited by President Trump to attend. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected in Egypt, with Downing Street describing the event as “a historic turning point for the region after two years of war and bloodshed.”
French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Egypt on Sunday to express support for what the Élysée Palace called “the implementation of President Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza.” Macron is expected to meet with regional and international partners to discuss “the next steps in advancing the peace plan,” according to the French presidency.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are likewise scheduled to attend, underscoring the summit’s wide international backing.
Hamas announced that it would not take part in the official signing of any agreement. Senior official Hosam Badran told Agence France-Presse that the group would instead be represented through mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to confirm his attendance.
Under the terms of the Israel–Hamas accord, 48 hostages, some alive, others deceased, are expected to be returned to Israel by Monday morning. In return, Israel is set to release 250 security prisoners, including individuals convicted of fatal attacks, along with approximately 1,700 Palestinians detained during the Gaza conflict that erupted in October 2023.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit is being framed by organizers as a pivotal step toward reestablishing peace and stability across the Middle East, as regional leaders and global powers seek to transform a tentative ceasefire into a durable political settlement.
With information from AMNA, AFP, and Axios.
