SHARM el-Sheikh, (HAN)– U.S. President Donald Trump has hailed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for his “very important role” in mediating the Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, reaffirming Washington’s full support for Cairo’s peace efforts.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Trump confirmed that the “second phase” of the peace talks has officially begun, marking a new chapter in the region’s path toward stability.
The meeting coincided with an international summit attended by leaders and representatives from over 20 countries, including Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. The summit, co-chaired by Trump and el-Sisi, culminated in the signing of a joint declaration aimed at solidifying the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“This took 3,000 years to get to this point — and it’s going to hold up,” Trump said during the signing ceremony, emphasizing the historic nature of the accord.
The breakthrough came after Hamas released all 20 surviving Israeli hostages as part of a prisoner exchange deal that also saw Israel free more than 1,900 Palestinian detainees. The exchange was widely seen as a confidence-building measure essential to sustaining the fragile truce.
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the summit, citing a religious holiday, Israeli officials maintained close coordination with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators. Hamas was not directly represented at the gathering but participated indirectly through mediators from Egypt and Qatar.
Looking ahead, the “second phase” of the peace process will focus on Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction, governance, and long-term security arrangements. Egypt has proposed a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza, emphasizing that rebuilding must occur without displacing the Palestinian population.
The ceasefire forms part of a broader 20-point U.S. peace plan announced by Trump in late September 2025. The plan includes the demilitarization of Hamas, deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) composed of Arab and global partners, and the creation of a transitional governance body to oversee Gaza’s recovery and security.
President el-Sisi, in his remarks, called Trump’s peace initiative the “last chance” for lasting peace in the Middle East, pledging Egypt’s continued commitment to regional stability and humanitarian relief for Gaza’s civilians.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit represents a rare moment of international unity around the Gaza issue, signaling cautious optimism for a sustained truce and renewed diplomatic engagement across the Middle East.
