- President Trump arrives in Egypt to finalize a Gaza ceasefire agreement that could end the two-year Israel-Hamas war
- The summit brings together world leaders and mediators from the US, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and European and Arab nations
- The agreement includes a significant hostage-prisoner exchange and aims to address post-war reconstruction and governance
President Donald Trump touched down in Egypt on Thursday for what administration officials hope will be a landmark signing ceremony for a Gaza ceasefire agreement, marking the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh represents the culmination of weeks of intensive negotiations involving multiple mediators. According to people familiar with the matter, the framework includes a comprehensive ceasefire and what one European diplomat called "the most substantial hostage-prisoner exchange we've seen to date."
Trump's itinerary includes meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and other key guarantors of the deal before the formal signing ceremony. The president's schedule notably includes an earlier stop in Israel where he will address the Knesset, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be attending the Egyptian summit, with Israel instead sending other senior officials.
Multiple sources confirmed that negotiators from Egypt, the United States, Israel, Hamas, Qatar, and Turkey have been working around the clock in Sharm el-Sheikh to finalize the agreement's implementation details. One mediator involved in the talks described the atmosphere as "cautiously optimistic but tense," noting that several last-minute hurdles nearly derailed the process earlier this week.
Efforts to secure broad international support for the post-war arrangement in Gaza appear to be gaining traction, with the presence of top European and Arab officials signaling a coordinated push for Middle East stability. The White House has emphasized that this represents more than just a ceasefire—it's the foundation for addressing reconstruction, governance, and security in the devastated territory.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters aboard Air Force One that "the pieces are falling into place, but implementation will be everything." The official noted that the agreement's success will depend on robust enforcement mechanisms and sustained international engagement.
Reaction from regional stakeholders has been largely positive, though tempered by skepticism given the history of failed ceasefire attempts. Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the potential for delivering urgent aid and beginning reconstruction in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Egyptian government, which has played a historic role in Arab-Israeli peacemaking, views the summit as reinforcing its regional diplomatic stature. President El-Sisi's office released a brief statement confirming his participation and Egypt's commitment to "achieving comprehensive and lasting peace."
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the composition of the Israeli delegation. Senior Israeli officials will attend, but Prime Minister Netanyahu will not.