Doha, Qatar: World leaders have converged on the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh for a high-stakes peace summit aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and charting a path toward renewed political negotiations in the Middle East.
The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit is being co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, and brings together leaders from more than 20 countries. It is expected to galvanize international support for Trump's proposed peace plan for Gaza, as key issues - including governance, security, and reconstruction - remain unresolved following months of intense conflict.
Among the key participants is the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, attending in line with the State of Qatar's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and alleviating their suffering, particularly in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The summit's primary goals include formalizing a ceasefire agreement in the enclave, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, and reviving political negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis. Egypt hopes to use the summit as a platform to build a unified international vision for regional stability and launch a broader political process that could end cycles of violence.
Speaking ahead of the summit on Friday, President Trump said he was confident that the Gaza ceasefire will hold, stating that both Israel and Hamas are tired of fighting. He also confirmed his attendance at the expected signing ceremony and emphasized that the plan includes detailed stages for rebuilding Gaza, with multiple countries pledging support for reconstruction efforts.
The entire Middle East, not just Gaza, stands to benefit from peace, Trump said, pointing to what he described as unprecedented diplomatic alignment on the issue.
Leaders expected to attend the summit include King Abdullah II of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reiterated that the two-state solution remains the key to lasting peace, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Also present will be Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose office confirmed that he will praise President Trump's role as well as the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye.
The summit comes at a pivotal moment for the region, with hopes that it may serve as the launching point for a new phase of peace and development - although past efforts have frequently faltered amid political divisions and on-the-ground realities.
UK Prime Minister Starmer is expected to call for continued international coordination to implement the next phase of the plan, including the deployment of an international ceasefire monitoring mission and the formation of a transitional government in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed his participation, emphasizing the need for sustained global coordination to achieve lasting stability in Gaza and the broader region.
Despite the summit's ambitious goals, the Palestinian group Hamas announced it would not take part in the formal signing of the ceasefire agreement. Senior Hamas official Husam Badran stated that the signing would be limited to American, Israeli, and mediating officials.
The summit has drawn intense international attention, seen as a rare opportunity to revive diplomatic momentum after years of stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is cautious optimism that the summit could mark the beginning of a new chapter of regional cooperation and peacebuilding.
The summit follows a breakthrough in indirect negotiations held in Sharm El-Sheikh on Wednesday, involving mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, according to the peace plan proposed by the US administration.
Since the onset of Israel's genocide on Oct. 7, 2023, the Gaza Strip has suffered catastrophic losses. According to health authorities in Gaza, the conflict has left 67,682 people dead and 170,033 injured, the majority of them women and children. In addition, 463 people - including 157 children - have died from starvation, amid widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Qatar has played a central role in brokering the ceasefire, leveraging diplomatic, political, and humanitarian channels. Since the outbreak of the aggression, Doha has engaged in sustained mediation efforts aimed at ending hostilities, lifting the blockade, and alleviating humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
The Qatari government, working closely with Egypt and the United States, has helped secure two ceasefires to date, both of which led to prisoner exchanges and the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
Qatar's efforts have included diplomatic talks, humanitarian aid deliveries, and logistical coordination to open crossings and ensure the flow of food, medical supplies, and emergency assistance.
As the Sharm El-Sheikh summit unfolds, global attention remains focused on whether the assembled leaders can convert fragile calm into a durable peace - and whether the next phases of the Gaza peace plan can be implemented without renewed violence.
