The formal sealing of an agreement between Hamas and Israel occurred on Monday at a Middle East summit convened in Sharm el-Sheikh, raising cautious optimism tempered by significant political maneuvering and lingering questions about its long-term viability. Leaders and heads of state from 31 nations, including US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Merz and Palestinian President Abbas, participated in the gathering, ostensibly aimed at solidifying a fragile ceasefire. Notably absent were direct representatives from both Israel and Hamas, underscoring the complex and mediated nature of the process.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s abrupt withdrawal from the summit mid-morning, citing scheduling conflicts with a holiday, was widely perceived as a calculated move, particularly given reports suggesting pressure from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to exclude him. This highlights the intensifying regional power dynamics and the potential for external interference in the peace process.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, hosting the summit, emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the permanence of the ceasefire, expressing confidence in President Trump’s ability to broker a lasting peace. Sisi also appealed to Trump for support in securing funding for a planned reconstruction conference for the Gaza Strip, to be jointly hosted by Egypt and Germany in Cairo this November. Trump acknowledged Egypt’s crucial role in the Gaza agreement and alluded to ongoing negotiations concerning further aspects of his broader plan intended to resolve the Gaza conflict.
Earlier in Jerusalem, addressing the Knesset, Trump projected a vision of a “new era of peace” following the release of Israeli hostages. He lauded Netanyahu’s efforts and extended gratitude to Arab nations for their support, a gesture intended to foster broader regional cooperation but potentially alienating Palestinian aspirations for self-determination. Netanyahu reciprocated Trump’s praise, pledging commitment to the new peace, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog plans to bestow upon Trump the nation’s highest civilian honor.
While the symbolic significance of the summit cannot be dismissed, significant questions remain regarding the agreement’s substantive content and its capacity to address the underlying causes of the conflict. The absence of direct Israeli-Hamas dialogue, the potential for external interference in the process and the inherent power imbalance between the parties raise concerns about the sustainability of this tentative step toward a more stable future in the region. The sincerity of commitment from all parties, particularly concerning the long-term needs and rights of the Palestinian people, will ultimately determine the true success of the endeavor.