Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt (EFE) — Around 30 world leaders will gather on Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh for the signing ceremony of a United States-brokered peace plan for the Gaza Strip, Egyptian officials confirmed Sunday.
Egyptian presidential spokesperson Mohamed al-Shennawy said 26 heads of state and three leaders of international organizations have confirmed their attendance so far, according to the state newspaper Al-Ahram.
The summit will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and United States President Donald Trump.
Among the confirmed attendees are the leaders of Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas , as well as the heads of state of Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Also expected to attend are the presidents of Turkey, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, France, and Cyprus; the German chancellor; and the prime ministers of Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, Armenia, Hungary, Pakistan, Canada, Norway, and Iraq.
Spain will be represented by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Notable absences and diplomatic representation
The United Arab Emirates will send its vice president, while Oman and India will be represented by their foreign ministers. Japan will be represented by its ambassador to Cairo.
One notable absence is Saudi Arabia, which has not yet confirmed any participation.
“Riyadh’s position remains unclear, though diplomatic sources say talks with Washington and Cairo are ongoing,” a senior Egyptian official told EFE on condition of anonymity.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and European Council President António Costa are also expected to attend.
Ceasefire and hostage releases expected
The summit comes just three days after a ceasefire took effect and Israeli troops began withdrawing from major cities in Gaza.
Monday’s meeting coincides with expectations that the first surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas will begin to be released.
The preliminary program includes a bilateral meeting between al-Sisi and Trump, followed by a group session with other participating leaders.
Both presidents are expected to deliver speeches, though the final schedule has yet to be confirmed, al-Shennawy said.
Diplomats view the Sharm el-Sheikh gathering as a critical step toward stabilizing Gaza and laying the groundwork for long-term regional peace efforts. EFE
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