A document supporting the newly reached ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip was signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday by Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi, US President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Ali - without the participation of Israel and Hamas. The summit, co-chaired by Sisi and Trump, brought together leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss Gaza governance, security and post-war reconstruction.
Sisi described the agreement reached as a "glimmer of hope" that could end a painful chapter and open the way for peaceful reconstruction in the Middle East, while reaffirming his commitment to implementing the ceasefire and reaching a two-state solution. Donald Trump called it "the greatest agreement of all" and stressed that the reconstruction of Gaza begins now.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has brokered the release of all 20 surviving Israeli hostages, while Israel has released some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a move that has stirred strong emotions in both Gaza and Tel Aviv. However, significant challenges remain - including the return of the bodies of 26 deceased Israeli hostages and the search for two missing persons, securing a durable ceasefire, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which humanitarian organisations warn of due to hunger and lack of basic needs.
UN humanitarian operations chief Tom Fletcher announced $11 million in new aid and called for the speedy delivery of food, medicine and shelter. But questions remain over the future governance of Gaza and Hamas's refusal to give up its weapons, highlighting that while the ceasefire represents a major turning point, the peace remains fragile and uncertain.