International Gaza Peace Summit Co-Chaired by Trump and Sissi Kicks Off in Egypt

International Gaza Peace Summit Convenes in Sharm el-Sheikh

An international peace summit, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, is scheduled to commence on Monday, October 13, 2025, in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The high-level gathering aims to finalize an agreement to end the ongoing 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.

Summit Objectives and Key Participants

The primary objectives of the 'Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit' include rallying support for the second phase of President Trump's peace plan, which notably seeks to disarm Hamas and establish a new governing body within the Gaza Strip. More than 20 leaders from various nations are expected to attend the summit. Confirmed attendees include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Other potential participants mentioned in reports include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Notable Absences and Strategic Focus

Significantly, Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority (PA) will not be participating in the summit. Sources indicate that Israel was not invited to the event. Hamas has stated it will not attend, and a request from the Palestinian Authority to President Sissi for an invitation reportedly went unanswered, with the PA not being mentioned in the White House's postwar plan. A Trump administration official explained that the event's focus is to solidify the backing from the 'guarantors of the deal — not the parties' involved in the conflict, noting that otherwise, representatives from Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority would need to be present.

Context of Trump's Peace Initiative

This summit follows a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States. The ceasefire marked a crucial step after a two-year war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023. The first phase of President Trump's 20-point peace plan, sometimes referred to as the 'Deal of the Century,' involved the release of hostages and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The broader plan envisions a deradicalized and terror-free Gaza, its redevelopment, and the establishment of new governance structures. The summit aims to solidify this ceasefire and promote broader regional security and stability.