Speculation is mounting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may unexpectedly participate in the Gaza peace summit being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Sources within the Israeli government, cited by multiple media outlets, suggest Netanyahu is considering joining U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to travel to the Egyptian resort town following a brief visit to Israel.
The planned summit centers around the signing ceremony for the initial phase of Trump’s controversial peace plan for the Gaza Strip. The reported direct invitation from the U.S. President to Netanyahu to attend signals a potential shift in the Israeli leader’s previously signaled reluctance to engage in direct talks within the current climate.
The absence of Hamas from the summit has drawn immediate criticism from Palestinian advocates, who argue that excluding a key stakeholder fundamentally undermines the legitimacy and potential for lasting success of any proposed agreement. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to be present, alongside a number of other heads of state and government, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Analysts are viewing Netanyahu’s potential participation with cautious skepticism. While it presents a symbolic opportunity for renewed diplomatic engagement, the exclusion of Hamas raises serious questions regarding the plan’s comprehensiveness and its capacity to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict. The long-term viability of the initiative remains deeply uncertain, hinging on the ability of all relevant parties – including those not present at the summit – to ultimately commit to its implementation. Critics are particularly concerned that the summit might serve as a photo opportunity, obscuring the complex realities and deep-seated grievances that fuel the ongoing instability in the region.