Imagine a world on the brink of peace, a fragile hope flickering after years of conflict. That's exactly what the world witnessed in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where a historic ceasefire agreement was signed, aiming to chart a new course for Gaza. But here's the kicker: a key player was conspicuously absent, raising questions about the true strength and longevity of this accord.
On Monday, President Donald Trump, alongside over 20 world leaders, convened in the Egyptian resort city for crucial discussions regarding the future of Gaza, marking a significant step with the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in motion (https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-live-updates/?id=126446763). This gathering represented a broad coalition of international stakeholders committed to fostering stability in the region.
The summit boasted an impressive roster of attendees, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and former prime minister Tony Blair. High-ranking officials from Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey also participated, underscoring the widespread interest in achieving a lasting resolution.
Before the formal signing ceremony, the assembled leaders posed for a symbolic "family picture" in front of a banner proclaiming "Peace 2025," visually representing their collective aspiration for a peaceful future.
Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with other world leaders seated behind, officially signed the document that Trump described as outlining comprehensive "rules and regulations and lots of other things." The exact details of the document remain undisclosed, and the White House has yet to release it to the public. And this is the part most people miss: the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement's specifics fuels both speculation and skepticism about its enforceability and long-term impact.
In a rather theatrical moment during the signing, Trump declared, "This took 3,000 years to get to this point. Can you believe it? And it's going to hold up too. It's going to hold up.” His remarks emphasized the monumental effort involved in reaching this stage and expressed confidence in the agreement's durability.
Trump further delivered a speech, hailing the agreement as a pivotal moment for the region. He stated, "This is the day that people across this region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for. They have done things over the last month that I think were really unthinkable. Nobody thought this could happen. With the historic agreement we have just signed, those prayers of millions have finally been answered."
Now, here's where it gets controversial... conspicuously absent from the signing ceremony and the preceding discussions were representatives from both Hamas and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office cited the Jewish holiday as the reason for his absence, despite a direct invitation from President Trump. Is this a legitimate excuse, or does it signal a deeper reluctance or disagreement with the terms of the ceasefire? What do you think?
Just hours prior to the summit, Trump and Netanyahu engaged in mutual praise as Trump addressed Israel's parliament. Trump lauded Netanyahu as "one of the greatest" wartime leaders, while Netanyahu reciprocated by calling Trump Israel's "greatest friend" ever in the White House. This public display of affection raises questions about the impartiality of the U.S. role in mediating the conflict.
At the Knesset, Trump also proclaimed a "new dawn in the Middle East" and declared the war in Gaza over – despite acknowledging the challenges ahead in securing a lasting peace. Can a lasting peace truly be built without the direct participation of all parties involved?
On the ground, Hamas released the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday, and Israel freed Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement, leading to emotional reunions in Tel Aviv and Gaza (https://abcnews.go.com/International/families-react-amid-hostage-exchange-underway/story?id=126466303). These scenes offered a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing complexities.
However, numerous questions persist regarding the future (https://abcnews.go.com/International/after-breakthrough-long-term-challenges-remain-lasting-peace/story?id=126403259), including the extent of President Trump's personal involvement in shaping a post-war Gaza. What role should external powers play in the rebuilding process?
Trump indicated that the second phase of his proposed peace plan is underway, albeit without providing specific details. "Well, it started. I mean, it started as far as we’re concerned," Trump said alongside el-Sisi upon his arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh. "Phase two has started. And, you know, the phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other. You’re gonna start cleaning up. You look at Gaza it needs a lot of clean-up."
In his subsequent speech to world leaders, Trump added, "Now, the rebuilding begins. The rebuilding is maybe going to be the easiest part. I think we've done a lot of the hardest part because the rest comes together. We all know how to rebuild, and we know how to build better than anybody in the world." Is rebuilding Gaza truly the easiest part, or are there deeper political and social challenges that could hinder progress?
The U.S. president also seemed to turn his attention to Iran, urging the country to seize this opportunity to collaborate with the administration on a peace deal. "We are ready when you are and it will be the best decision that Iran has ever made, and it's going to happen," Trump said during his speech at the Knesset.
Trump reiterated this point while answering reporter questions alongside Egypt's president. "I think Iran will come along. They've been battered and bruised. You know, they need some help. They have big sanctions, as you know, tremendous sanctions. I'd love to take the sanctions off when they're ready to talk," Trump said. Could this be a genuine offer of peace, or simply a strategic move to further isolate Iran?
ABC News' Fritz Farrow contributed to this report.
So, what are your thoughts? Is this ceasefire a genuine step towards lasting peace, or just a temporary reprieve? And what role should the international community play in ensuring its success? Share your opinions in the comments below!
