Palestinians make their way past destroyed buildings in Gaza City. AFP
“The signatories will be the guarantors — (the) US, Egypt, Qatar and likely Turkey,” the diplomat said on condition of anonymity, following a statement from Egypt’s foreign ministry that a document ending the war in Gaza would be signed during the US- and Egypt-hosted gathering.
US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, will co-chair the summit, which aims “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability,” according to the Egyptian president’s office.
Neither Israel nor Hamas will attend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed no Israeli officials would take part, while Hamas earlier announced it would not send representatives.
Expected attendees include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Egypt said 21 countries will participate, including the European Union, Arab League, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, India and Germany. Iran confirmed it received an invitation but has not indicated whether it will attend.
The peace deal hinges on a prisoner exchange, with Israelis held by Hamas traded for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
The first phase involves the release of 48 Israeli captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans held by Israel since the war began in October 2023.
Both Israel and Hamas have said the captives will be released Monday morning, ahead of a midday (0900 GMT) deadline set under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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