A crucial summit in Egypt is set to shape the future of the Gaza conflict, and it's a story that's full of twists and turns. The fate of Gaza hangs in the balance as world leaders gather.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, alongside Donald Trump and other prominent figures, will attend this international summit on Monday. The aim? To finalize a peace agreement and bring an end to the devastating war in Gaza.
Invited by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, this event in Sharm el-Sheikh promises to be a pivotal moment in the region's history. Over 20 countries will be represented, including the UK's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. But here's where it gets controversial: Trump's plan leaves room for Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA) to play a role, but Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagrees.
The PA, a governing body with control over parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is run by Fatah, a rival to Hamas. Abbas also leads the PLO, the organization representing Palestinians on the global stage. Last month, Abbas, at 89 years old, was denied a visa to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly, along with 80 other Palestinian officials. Despite this, he addressed the assembly via video, expressing his willingness to work with world leaders for peace and reiterating his stance against Hamas's governance in Gaza, demanding their disarmament.
Trump's 20-point peace plan has already seen its first phase agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, with a ceasefire taking effect on Friday. The upcoming Monday is set to witness the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. And this is the part most people miss: the real negotiations begin after that, focusing on the governance of Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the disarming of Hamas.
Interestingly, both Israel and Hamas have confirmed their officials won't be attending the Egypt summit. Egyptian officials, however, emphasize the summit's goal of "ending the war in the Gaza Strip" and "ushering in a new era of regional security and stability." The foreign ministry even expects a document to be signed, officially ending the war.
Other world leaders attending include French President Emmanuel Macron, Jordan's King Abdullah II, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and more. Even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be present.
In a related development, former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, expected to be part of the "Board of Peace" overseeing Gaza's governance under Trump's plan, met with PA Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh on Sunday. Al-Sheikh expressed their readiness to work with Trump and Blair, emphasizing the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority and preventing the undermining of the two-state solution.
The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, over 67,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including more than 18,000 children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
As this story unfolds, it raises important questions: Can a peaceful resolution be found? Will the summit's outcome bring the desired stability to the region? And what role will the Palestinian Authority play in the future of Gaza? We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
