World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump meet in Sharm el-Sheikh to support the Gaza Ceasefire and discuss post-war reconstruction [Image by VOI]
(The Post News) – World leaders convened in Egypt on Monday for a heated summit designed to embed the fragile truce in Gaza, end the devastation-wreaking conflict between Israel and Hamas, and delineate a vision of long-term development in reconstructing the ravaged Palestinian territory.
The summit, which had Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President Donald Trump as co-chairs, was held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. El-Sissi received Trump as the “only one” who would bring peace to the Middle East, as he described the American president’s initiative as the “last chance” at regional peace.
“Peace is our strategic choice,” el-Sissi said. “But it must be on a foundation of justice and equality of rights, including Palestinian rights to an independent state from Israel.”
A Ceasefire of Hope and Uncertainty
The conference followed the start of a Qatar-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas that started Friday after weeks of intense diplomatic pressure from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Arab states.
During the initial phase of the ceasefire, Israeli troops withdrew from parts of Gaza, and Hamas freed the remaining 20 Israeli hostages. Israel, on the other hand, freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Relief agencies have begun pouring in aid to the displaced civilians as they reclaim their rubble-filled homes.
Substantive issues still linger, though, as far as post-conflict governance of Gaza, disarming Hamas, and Israeli and Palestinian Authority involvement in reconstruction are concerned.
President Donald Trump, during his speech, called for “a new era of harmony” in the Middle East.
“This is a one-time chance to leave differences behind,” Trump said. “We’re going to build up Gaza, and it will be simple; we know how to build better than anyone on the face of this earth.”
Trump’s plan envisions a demilitarized Gaza governed by a Palestinian technocratic 15-member committee answerable to a new international “Board of Peace,” led by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The committee would have no ties to Hamas or Fatah but would have to be approved by Israel.
The plan also envisions an international peacekeeping force backed by a U.N. Security Council resolution to provide security in the transition.
Over 20 global leaders attended, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged £20 million ($27 million) towards the reconstruction of Gaza, and French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Turkey and Qatar, which had played key roles in facilitating the ceasefire, signed a joint declaration with Trump that emphasized equality and coexistence:
“We call for tolerance, dignity, and fair opportunity for all humanity to make this area a place from which all can pursue peace, security, and prosperity,” the statement stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to attend, however, because of a Jewish holiday, as reports indicated that a number of Arab leaders would boycott the summit if he attended.
Iran, the main Hamas ally, was absent, with analysts noting the ceasefire has reduced Tehran’s influence weakened in the region following its disastrous but short war against Israel last spring.
Gaza Reconstruction and Funding
The World Bank and Egypt have estimated reconstruction for Gaza to cost over $53 billion. Egypt will host a Gaza Recovery Conference in November to synchronize reconstruction and funding efforts.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump’s mediation attempts, even shortlisting him for a Nobel Peace Prize for services in de-escalating hostilities in various global conflicts.
While the ceasefire has temporarily ended fighting, experts are skeptical that Trump’s peace plan has legs to last.
“Whether this is the end of war is not the question,” Georgetown University in Qatar political analyst Zeidon Alkinani said. “It’s whether this addresses the underlying injustices that created it.”
For Gaza’s 2.2 million, hope for peace is tinged with sorrow, and the daunting task of rebuilding a homeland reduced to rubble.
About the Author
