Trump Leads Gaza Peace Summit In Egypt As Hamas And Israel Begin Hostage-Prisoner Swap Deal

International News: The Gaza Peace Summit begins in Egypt today with high expectations from around the world. This meeting is being called historic because leaders from more than twenty countries are joining. US President Donald Trump is co-chairing the talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The summit is being held in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, which has hosted many global conferences in the past. The aim is to stop the Gaza war that has continued for over a year with heavy destruction and loss of lives. Leaders are hoping that this conference will mark the start of a stable peace.

Wide participation from world leaders

The list of countries and leaders attending is long and diverse. Delegations are present from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the European Union, and the Arab League. Other countries include Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Germany, Greece, Armenia, Hungary, India, Pakistan, Canada, Norway, and Iraq. India is represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who posted on X about arriving in Cairo as Prime Minister Modi’s special representative. Leaders like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are also present.

What the summit aims to achieve

The Egyptian presidential palace has made it clear that the summit’s main goal is to stop the war in Gaza and to bring long-term stability to the Middle East. Talks are expected to focus on security, humanitarian aid, and regional cooperation. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced that a document ending the war in Gaza could be signed at the conference. Mediators from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey will also sign a guarantee agreement to ensure commitments are respected. However, both Israel and Hamas have chosen not to attend, which makes the negotiations more complex and dependent on international pressure.

Hostage and prisoner exchanges expected

One of the key outcomes expected today is the beginning of prisoner and hostage exchanges. Reports say Hamas must release forty-eight Israeli hostages, including twenty alive and twenty-eight deceased. In exchange, Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and nearly 1,700 Gazans. Humanitarian aid to Gaza will also increase as part of the agreement. These exchanges are considered a first step toward trust-building. Families on both sides have been waiting anxiously for these moves. The International Red Cross is expected to play a central role in monitoring the safe transfers.

Challenges ahead for peace process

Despite today’s optimism, the road to lasting peace will not be easy. Major issues remain unsolved, such as who will govern Gaza after the war, how Israeli troops will withdraw, and what conditions will apply to Hamas’s weapons. These questions will need further negotiation and will likely test the patience of mediators. Leaders at the summit are aware that peace agreements in the Middle East have failed in the past because of unresolved security concerns. That is why international guarantees and continuous monitoring are being emphasized this time.

Background of the conflict explained

The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. This triggered one of the deadliest wars in recent years. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 67,000 Palestinians have died so far, including over 18,000 children. Gaza has been heavily damaged, with neighborhoods destroyed and thousands displaced. The humanitarian crisis has shocked the world and added urgency to peace efforts. For this reason, the Gaza Peace Summit is being treated as a last chance to stop further bloodshed.

Hopes pinned on international unity

The Gaza Peace Summit is being called a turning point because of the level of international involvement. With more than twenty nations present, the world is showing it wants an end to violence in Gaza. President Trump’s leadership is being closely watched, as his 20-point peace plan was partly accepted by Israel but only half accepted by Hamas. The outcome of this summit could shape the future of the Middle East. If successful, it will not only bring relief to millions in Gaza but also change the political balance in the region.