In a historic gathering at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, four key leaders inked a document supporting the Gaza ceasefire deal. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, put pen to paper on Monday—even though Israel and Hamas were notably absent.
The summit, co-chaired by Presidents Sisi and Trump, welcomed more than 20 nations plus reps from regional and global orgs. Talks covered Gaza’s governance, security and the marathon task of reconstruction. No Saudi or Emirati top brass showed up, highlighting the delicate political dance.
🕊️ A Glimmer of Hope
“I welcome you all to the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit… we have witnessed the conclusion of the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement to end the war in Gaza,” Sisi declared, calling it “a glimmer of hope” for a fresh page of peace and stability. He stressed the need to “solidify” the ceasefire plan and push toward a two-state solution.
“Now the rebuilding begins,” Trump added, dubbing the deal “the greatest deal of them all.”
🎉 Hostages Freed Amid Joy
In Tel Aviv, the Israeli military confirmed it received all 20 hostages known to be alive after their Red Cross transfer. Thousands cheered at Hostage Square, celebrating a poignant victory. Meanwhile, in Gaza, tearful reunions unfolded at hospitals as buses rolled in to pick up some of the nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners due for release under the accord.
⚠️ Obstacles Remain
This milestone ends a brutal chapter that began with the October 7 attacks, which abducted 251 people and sparked a fierce offensive on Gaza City. Yet challenges loom large: 26 hostages are still believed dead, two remain missing, and recovering all bodies may take time, Hamas warns.
Humanitarian concerns are urgent. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher urged massive scale-ups in food, medicine, shelter and fuel, announcing an extra $11 million for Gaza relief. Beyond lifesaving aid, big questions persist about who will govern and police Gaza, and whether Hamas will disarm.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit may have lit a spark, but the road to lasting peace and rebuilding is just beginning. 🌱✨
Reference(s):
Document to support Gaza ceasefire deal signed at summit in Egypt
cgtn.com
