Leaders from various countries attended the Gaza Ceasefire Summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday (October 13). The meeting marked a significant moment for the international community to support the ceasefire in Gaza and discuss post-war recovery efforts, led by U.S. President Donald Trump in collaboration with key mediators: Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.
The broad participation of world leaders underscored that the Gaza conflict has become a global concern that extends far beyond the Middle East. A total of 28 countries and three international organizations took part in the summit.
Countries in Attendance from Different Regions
From North America, the United States and Canada were present. The direct attendance of President Donald Trump highlighted Washington’s strong involvement in the peace process, despite the U.S. having previously provided extensive military support to Israel during the conflict.
From the Middle East, representatives came from Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, and Türkiye. These Arab countries played a central role in brokering agreements and ensuring regional stability.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that only the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state can provide the foundation for lasting peace.
Türkiye and Qatar, both actively engaged in mediation efforts, reiterated the importance of tolerance, dignity, and equality for all parties, as reflected in the joint statement released with President Trump on the same day.
From Europe, the participation of countries such as 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 in Gaza. Many of these countries also urged for expanded aid access and the opening of entry points for international humanitarian organizations.
From Asia, the summit was attended by Armenia, India, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan. In addition, three international organizations—the Council of Europe, the Arab League, and the United Nations—also participated in the meeting.
Parties Absent from the Meeting
Despite the attendance of many countries, several key actors were not directly involved in the summit. Israel decided not to send any representatives, as confirmed by the spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On the other side, Hamas also did not participate in the meeting. A member of Hamas’s political bureau stated that the group would not be directly involved in the summit and would instead entrust mediation to Qatar and Egypt, as in previous negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran—initially invited by Egypt—also chose not to send a delegation. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi canceled their attendance, stating they could not participate in a forum attended by “parties that have attacked and imposed sanctions on the Iranian people.”
Iran’s refusal was also linked to heightened tensions following joint U.S–Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during a 12-day war in June.
Focus and Direction of the Gaza Ceasefire Summit
The Sharm el-Sheikh meeting focused on strengthening the Gaza ceasefire and accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid on a broader scale.
The 20-point peace plan announced by President Trump served as the main framework of the discussions, emphasizing the opening of all border crossings to speed 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 distribution access.
Beyond humanitarian issues, the summit also addressed the political direction of the post-war phase, including the formation of a transitional governing structure in Gaza under the supervision of a “Board of Peace” led by Trump and Tony Blair. However, several participants raised concerns over the legitimacy of this structure and the involvement of pro-Israel figures in the recovery 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 both Israel and Hamas at the summit underscored the significant challenges in transforming a ceasefire agreement into a sustainable and lasting peace.
