Leaders of assorted countries attended the Gaza Ceasefire Summit on Monday (October 13) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The meeting was a vital moment for the international community to support a ceasefire in Gaza and discuss post-war reconstruction efforts, led by US President Donald Trump in cooperation with key mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
The broad participation of world leaders emphasized that the conflict in Gaza has turn into a world problem that reaches far beyond the Middle East. In total, 28 countries and three international organizations took part within the summit.
Participating countries from different regions
From North America, the United States and Canada were present. President Donald Trump’s direct presence underscored Washington’s strong commitment to the peace process, although the United States had previously provided extensive military support to Israel throughout the conflict.
Representatives from Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Oman and Turkey got here from the Middle East. These Arab countries have played a key role in brokering agreements and ensuring regional stability.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has stated that only the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state can provide the idea for lasting peace.
Türkiye and Qatar, actively engaged in mediation efforts, reiterated the importance of tolerance, dignity and equality for all parties, as reflected in a joint statement issued on the identical day with President Trump.
From Europe, the participation of nations reminiscent of Cyprus, Italy, France, Norway, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Spain reflected the European Union’s support for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian assistance within the Gaza Strip. Many of those countries have also pushed to expand aid access and open entry points to international humanitarian organizations.
From Asia, Armenia, India, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Azerbaijan took part within the summit. In addition, three international organizations took part within the meeting – the Council of Europe, the Arab League and the United Nations.
Parties absent from the meeting
Despite the presence of many countries, several key actors were in a roundabout way involved within the summit. Israel decided to not send any representatives, as confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman.
On the opposite hand, Hamas also didn’t take part in the meeting. A member of Hamas’ political bureau said the group wouldn’t be directly involved within the summit and would as a substitute entrust mediation to Qatar and Egypt, as in previous negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran – initially invited by Egypt – also decided to not send a delegation. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi canceled their participation, stating that they may not take part in the forum, which incorporates “parties which have attacked and imposed sanctions on the Iranian people.”
Iran’s refusal has also been linked to heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities throughout the 12-day war in June.
Subject and direction of the Gaza ceasefire summit
The meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh focused on strengthening the ceasefire within the Gaza Strip and accelerating the delivery of broader humanitarian aid.
The predominant framework for the talks was the 20-point peace plan announced by President Trump, which emphasized opening all border crossings to hurry up the flow of aid, including construction materials, food supplies and other essential goods. Logistical coordination was a key topic given Gaza’s severely damaged infrastructure and limited access to distribution.
In addition to humanitarian issues, the summit also discussed the political direction within the post-war phase, including the creation of a transitional ruling structure in Gaza under the supervision of a “Peace Council” led by Trump and Tony Blair. However, several participants expressed concerns concerning the legality of this structure and the involvement of pro-Israel figures within the reconstruction process.
The discussions also reflected ongoing tensions between Israel’s security vision and Palestinian demands for justice. While the joint statement emphasized equality and peace, the absence of each Israel and Hamas from the summit highlighted significant challenges in transforming the ceasefire agreement into an enduring and lasting peace.
