World Leaders Gather in Egypt for Middle East Peace Summit

On October 13, 2025, world leaders convened in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for a pivotal peace summit aimed at solidifying a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and charting a course toward lasting stability in the Gaza Strip. Co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the summit brought together representatives from over 20 nations, underscoring the international community's commitment to resolving the protracted conflict.

The summit's agenda focused on endorsing the recent U.S.-brokered ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid, and discussing long-term peace strategies, including the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a post-war governance structure in Gaza. The ceasefire agreement, reached on October 9, 2025, marked a significant step toward ending the hostilities that began in October 2023.

The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, following a series of coordinated attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in southern Israel, resulted in over two years of intense hostilities. The war led to significant casualties and destruction, with reports indicating over 67,000 Palestinian deaths during this period.

The recent ceasefire agreement includes the release of 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the exchange of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the exchange as "the beginning of a new era—a path of healing, a path of rebuilding."

The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit was attended by leaders and representatives from countries including Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, as well as institutions like the United Nations and the European Union. The summit aimed to endorse the ceasefire agreement and discuss unresolved issues, including Hamas' disarmament, the establishment of a post-war Palestinian government in Gaza, the extent of Israeli military withdrawal, and funding for reconstruction.

President Donald Trump emphasized the significance of the peace deal, stating, "This is an emotional evening. An evening of tears. An evening of joy, because tomorrow sons will return to their homeland." European Council President António Costa expressed optimism, saying, "A long path toward peace starts tomorrow in Egypt. The international community is united in its commitment to a future where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace and security."

As the ceasefire holds, humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza. The United Nations reports the delivery of cooking gas, fresh food, medical supplies, and shelter materials. Approximately 600 trucks per day are expected to enter Gaza, with 400 sent by Egypt on Sunday. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including the need for extensive reconstruction and the potential for renewed hostilities if underlying issues are not addressed.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit represents a renewed multilateral effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Previous attempts at peace have faced significant obstacles, and the current summit's success will depend on the commitment of all parties to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term political solutions. The involvement of a broad coalition of international leaders underscores the global importance of achieving lasting peace in the region.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit stands as a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East, with the potential to reshape the region's future and address longstanding conflicts.