Overview: A high-profile push for Gaza peace
As Donald Trump heads to Sharm El Sheikh for a Gaza peace summit hosted with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the event positions itself as a pivotal moment in the effort to end the Gaza war and stabilize the Middle East. Trump will first travel to Israel to address the Knesset and meet families of hostages before joining a gathering that aims to consolidate the ceasefire and address future governance in Gaza. The Egyptian presidency underscored the summit’s broad objectives: end the war in Gaza, advance peace and regional security, and usher in a new era of stability.
Who is on the guest list?
The guest list reads like a who’s who of regional and global diplomacy, with several leaders and officials who have played or are currently playing a role in securing or shaping the ceasefire and hostage-release framework. The presence of so many actors who have previously been involved in the negotiations signals an attempt to create a cohesive platform for discussing Gaza’s future and the broader peace process.
- Donald Trump – The U.S. president is positioning the summit as a capstone to his 20-point peace plan and his broader vision for the Middle East after the war’s early ceasefire stages. A successful gathering could influence the next phase of cooperation and governance in Gaza.
- Abdel Fattah al-Sisi – Egypt’s president is central to the event, leveraging Cairo’s long-standing role as a mediator. His invitation to Trump is framed as a chance to ensure the ceasefire holds and to press for regional alignment on security issues.
- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – Qatar’s emir is said to have pushed for binding Trump’s efforts to a broader peace framework, seeking guarantees that de-escalation would translate into tangible, lasting change.
- Mahmoud Abbas – The Palestinian Authority leader’s open-ended role in any Gaza governance plan remains a point of contention, with Netanyahu’s government expressing skepticism about a PA role without reforms.
- Other notable attendees include Emmanuel Macron, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Antonio Costa (EU), reflecting international interest in the outcome and the broader regional implications of a Gaza ceasefire.
In addition to heads of state, the summit features a mix of prime ministers and senior officials from across Europe, the Arab world, and beyond. The gathering is framed as an opportunity to align on a roadmap for Gaza’s future, with attention to security, humanitarian access, and regional normalization efforts that could accompany lasting peace.
Who is not attending—and why notable absences matter
While the guest list is expansive, several key actors are staying away, which could influence the summit’s effectiveness and perceived legitimacy.
- Israeli officials – Israel will not send a representative to the summit, a decision that underscores ongoing tensions about inclusivity and the sequencing of talks. Israel’s absence could complicate the discussions around ceasefire terms and security guarantees that affect its own national interests.
- Hamas delegates – Hamas has publicly stated it will not participate directly, instead relying on mediators such as Qatar and Egypt. The lack of Hamas representation raises questions about the feasibility of agreements that involve Gaza’s governance and humanitarian access in the absence of the group’s direct engagement.
- Iranian officials – Iran said it would not attend, with Tehran signaling that it will not participate in a forum where it views U.S. and Israeli policies as central to the conflict’s misalignment. Iranian absence matters because it shapes how regional security and proxy dynamics are framed at the talks.
The absence of these key players could complicate consensus-building but also reflects the challenges of convening a truly representative gathering on Gaza’s volatile path forward. Observers will watch closely how the summit addresses core questions: Who will govern Gaza post-ceasefire? How will security and humanitarian corridors be managed? What is the role of international institutions and regional actors in enforcing any agreement?
What comes next?
The summit’s outcomes will likely focus on codifying the ceasefire’s next steps, security assurances, and the conditions for broader political engagement with Gaza’s governance. Trump’s team will be eager to demonstrate momentum, while traditional mediators like Egypt and Qatar will seek to preserve credibility by delivering tangible, implementable commitments. The extent to which Abbas’s engagement translates into groundwork for a future Palestinian Authority role remains a litmus test for the plan’s long-term viability.
As the day unfolds, the world will be watching to see whether a diverse group of leaders can translate high-level rhetoric into practical steps that bring lasting peace and stability to a region long haunted by conflict.
