Quick Read
- Sharm El Sheikh hosts a major peace summit led by Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
- Over 20 world leaders attend, but Israel, Iran, and Hamas are absent.
- The summit aims to solidify a fragile Gaza ceasefire and discuss post-conflict governance.
- Palestinian Authority’s future role in Gaza remains contested.
- Egypt’s diplomatic position as host is crucial to mediation efforts.
Sharm El Sheikh: A Stage for Peace Amid Conflict
On Monday, the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh will host a summit that could prove pivotal for the future of the Gaza Strip and the wider Middle East. At the heart of the gathering are more than 20 world leaders, each carrying their own hopes, strategies, and reservations for how peace might be brokered in a region that has been scarred by violence and political division for decades.
The summit, co-hosted by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, follows Trump’s visit to Israel where he addressed the Knesset and met families affected by the recent conflict. According to the Egyptian presidency, the goal is “to end the 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 and stability.” It’s an ambitious promise, one that echoes through the marble halls of the conference center as delegates arrive, each with their own agenda.
Who’s at the Table? A Mosaic of Power and Interests
The guest list is impressive, a mosaic of leaders representing diverse regions and interests. Alongside Trump and al-Sisi, the summit includes key figures such as Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani—whose country has often played the role of mediator between conflicting sides—and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whose future role in Gaza remains uncertain and subject to heated debate. French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are among the European heads of state present, all bringing their own perspectives on humanitarian aid and diplomatic strategy.
The list also extends to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and regional monarchs such as Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Kuwait’s Prime Minister Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah. The presence of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev serves as a reminder of the region’s interconnected challenges.
Notably, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani round out the list, reflecting a truly global concern for Gaza’s future.
The Absent Voices: Israel, Iran, and Hamas
Yet, for all the fanfare and diplomatic effort, some of the most critical voices are missing. Israel, whose military operations and policy decisions have shaped the current crisis, will not send a representative. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the absence, signaling ongoing mistrust and unresolved tensions over the summit’s aims and participants.
Similarly, representatives from Hamas, the group that has governed Gaza since 2007 and played a central role in the recent conflict, have opted out. A Hamas political bureau member told reporters that the organization “will not be involved,” emphasizing that their previous negotiations were conducted via Qatari and Egyptian mediators rather than direct engagement with many of the summit’s attendees.
The absence of Iranian officials further complicates the picture. Despite an invitation from Egypt, both President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declined, citing ongoing hostility and sanctions from the United States and others. As Araghchi posted on social media, “Neither President Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us,” referencing the June attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Ceasefire and the Road Ahead: Fragile Success, Uncertain Future
Behind the scenes, a fragile ceasefire remains in place, brokered with the help of many of the summit’s participants. The deal has brought a temporary calm to the region, allowing families to reunite and humanitarian aid to reach those in need. However, the peace remains tentative. Trump’s “20-point peace plan”—the details of which remain partially undisclosed—serves as the framework for ongoing discussions, but questions linger over how Gaza will be governed post-conflict and what will become of Hamas.
For President Trump, the summit is an opportunity to take a “victory lap,” as described by Egyptian officials, and cement his legacy as a peacemaker. Yet, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. Will the agreements forged in Sharm El Sheikh hold beyond the summit’s closing statements? Will the absence of Israel, Iran, and Hamas undermine the legitimacy or effectiveness of any decisions made?
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is among those pushing to tie the peace process directly to Trump’s leadership, hoping that this will anchor the fragile deal and prevent backsliding. The Palestinian Authority’s potential role in Gaza—if reforms are enacted—remains a contentious issue, with Netanyahu’s government staunchly opposed to their involvement.
International Stakes: Diplomacy and Regional Security
The summit is not just about Gaza. It’s a test of international diplomacy and a reflection of the shifting balance of power in the Middle East. European leaders bring their own concerns about migration, security, and energy, while regional actors grapple with the consequences of conflict and the prospects for economic recovery. The United Nations and Arab League presence signals the importance of multilateral approaches, even as bilateral tensions persist.
As Reuters notes, Egypt’s role as host underscores its position as a key mediator in the region, leveraging its relationships with both Western and Arab powers. The gathering in Sharm El Sheikh is also a reminder of the limits of diplomacy: without buy-in from all parties, even the most carefully crafted agreements can unravel.
What Lies Beyond Sharm El Sheikh?
As the summit unfolds, the world watches for signs of progress. Will the leaders present find common ground, or will old divisions resurface? For the people of Gaza, the stakes could not be higher. Each diplomatic handshake, each word uttered behind closed doors, carries the weight of lives disrupted and futures uncertain.
The absence of key stakeholders is a sobering reminder: peace in the Middle East is a complex puzzle, with pieces that are sometimes missing, sometimes hidden, and always difficult to fit together.
While Sharm El Sheikh may offer a rare moment of unity among global leaders, the absence of direct representation from Israel, Hamas, and Iran reveals the persistent gaps in Middle East diplomacy. The summit’s outcome will depend not just on who is present, but on whether those who hold the greatest power over Gaza’s future are willing to engage once the cameras have gone and the statements have faded. The challenge remains: can lasting peace be forged without every voice at the table?
Image Credit: theguardian.com