New phase of Gaza peace efforts as Trump lands in Egypt
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Egypt to co-host a high-stakes summit focused on the future of Gaza following a dramatic week that saw Hamas release Israeli hostages and the initiation of hostilities’ de-escalation. The gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, attended by leaders from around the world, aims to translate a fragile ceasefire into a sustainable framework for security, humanitarian relief, and reconstruction in Gaza.
Key developments: hostages freed, bodies handed over, and a ceasefire in motion
In a tense, evolving situation, Hamas handed over the remains of two deceased Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, with officials involved in the operation confirming the move. Earlier, Hamas’s armed wing signaled it would deliver the bodies of four hostages, reflecting a complex exchange that underpins the broader ceasefire arrangement brokered with international mediators.
Meanwhile, massive public attention has swung to the humanitarian dimension of the ceasefire. Families reunited with loved ones after more than two years in captivity provided emotional scenes that underscored the human stakes of the conflict. Across the border in the West Bank, large crowds welcomed buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners, a gesture that highlighted reciprocal elements of the deal.
Ceasefire implementation: coordination, security, and reconstruction
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been actively coordinating with Western and Arab partners, including France, Turkey, Qatar, and regional players, to ensure the ceasefire’s durability and map out reconstruction plans for Gaza. The discussions, taking place alongside the international summit, seek to harmonize humanitarian aid flows, de-militarization commitments, and a stabilisation framework for the territory.
Hamas has begun deploying armed groups across parts of Gaza in what observers describe as an assertion of authority amid the new arrangements. While these actions are unlikely to derail the current ceasefire, they raise questions about the disarmament provisions and the readiness of a regional stabilization force to manage Gaza’s security landscape in the coming months.
Diplomatic twists: Netanyahu’s attendance and regional dynamics
Early plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Sharm el-Sheikh summit faced a last-minute challenge after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan indicated he would not land in Egypt if the invitation stood. Although Netanyahu ultimately did not attend due to timing concerns and domestic political considerations, the event still drew major figures including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and leaders from Italy, Spain, and France, among others. The decision to proceed without Netanyahu reflected ongoing sensitivities surrounding Israel’s leadership and regional normalization dynamics.
What lies ahead: a path to Gaza’s stability and regional security
The summit’s stated goals are ambitious: to end the war in Gaza, normalize security in the region, and lay the groundwork for long-term peace. Organizers emphasize the need for robust international support to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, restore essential services, and ensure humanitarian access. Whether the ceasefire endures will depend on near-term security assurances, the integrity of the troop deployment plan, and continued cooperation among regional and international actors.
Public sentiment and the human dimension
As world leaders convene, ordinary people in both Gaza and Israel confront the immediate realities of a fragile pause in hostilities. Emotional reunions between families of hostages and their loved ones have highlighted the human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a credible, verifiable mechanism to guarantee safety and dignity for all civilians.
Bottom line
With the ceasefire holding for the moment and a major diplomatic push underway, the Sharm el-Sheikh summit represents a critical inflection point. The coming days will test whether promises of reconstruction, governance reforms, and international watchdog roles translate into tangible, safer lives for those in Gaza and lasting regional security.
