In a major diplomatic breakthrough, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Gaza Peace Agreement at a high-level international summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The agreement, hailed by Trump as “very special,” was concluded during a conference co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and attended by leaders from over 20 countries.
While representatives from Israel and Hamas were notably absent, the summit focused on outlining a path to long-term peace, post-war reconstruction in Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners and hostages.
Trump Applauds Team, Promises Peace Push
Addressing the summit, Trump praised the efforts of his diplomatic team and the support from participating nations. “I thought this would be one of the most difficult tasks of my life. But with this incredible team and the cooperation of so many nations, we made it happen,” he said. Trump is expected to hold closed-door meetings with several leaders following his speech.
Egyptian President al-Sisi welcomed Trump to the “city of peace” and expressed confidence in his ability to “end this war and bring peace.” Al-Sisi emphasized the importance of international collaboration in enforcing a ceasefire and rebuilding Gaza, saying, “Enough of war — peace is needed now.”
Hamas Returns Bodies of Hostages, Israeli Prisoners Freed
In a parallel development, Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages to Israel, including Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student abducted from Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023. Joshi had been in Israel under the “Learn and Earn” programme.
The remains of three other Israeli hostages — Gai Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peres — were also repatriated.
Earlier the same day, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages, handing them over to the Red Cross in two groups of 7 and 13. In return, Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners so far. Among them, 154 prisoners were freed on Monday alone.
Emotional Reunions in Tel Aviv and Gaza
Scenes of emotional reunions played out across both regions. In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, crowds grew teary-eyed as they watched videos of hostages reuniting with their families. Among them were twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were held separately in Gaza for two years and reunited for the first time since their abduction.
Israeli hostage Matan Angrest was seen embracing his mother after his release, while Omri Miran was also reunited with his family.
On the other side, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, released Palestinian prisoners were welcomed with celebrations as they returned home.
Trump Visits Israeli Parliament, Meets Hostages
Following the summit, Donald Trump traveled to Israel, where he addressed the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in a 65-minute speech. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Trump as “Israel’s best friend.”
During the session, Trump and Netanyahu met with the released hostages and their families, offering support and solidarity. However, the speech was briefly disrupted when an Israeli lawmaker called out, “Recognize Palestine!”, leading to his removal from the chamber.
North Star of Peace or Political Optics?
While the Gaza Peace Agreement marks a significant diplomatic moment, its long-term effectiveness remains to be seen. The absence of both Israel and Hamas from the negotiating table raises questions about the enforceability of the pact. Still, regional leaders expressed cautious optimism that this summit could signal the beginning of the end of one of the Middle East’s most protracted conflicts.
With international attention now fixed on implementation, reconstruction, and reconciliation, Trump’s role in brokering this deal may become a defining moment in his post-presidency global image.