US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will jointly chair a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday. The Egyptian presidency announced on Saturday that the meeting will bring together leaders from more than twenty countries, reflecting a rare moment of international alignment on the Gaza crisis.
The summit seeks to end the war in the Gaza Strip, strengthen peace efforts across the Middle East, and open what Cairo described as “a new era of regional stability and security.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed his attendance, alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. French President Emmanuel Macron has also agreed to join the talks.
However, uncertainty looms over Israel’s participation, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s presence has not yet been confirmed. His absence could limit prospects for tangible breakthroughs. The Palestinian group Hamas announced it would not attend the summit. Senior political bureau member Hossam Badran told AFP that Hamas “will not be involved,” noting that previous negotiations were conducted mainly through Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
Analysts view the summit as a pivotal diplomatic test — one that could either mark a turning point in the Gaza conflict or fade into the long history of unfulfilled peace efforts. The gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort city long associated with diplomacy, may yet serve as the stage for renewed dialogue — or the echo of another missed chance for peace.