Dozens of heads of state, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, signed a ceasefire and peace declaration aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza during a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday.
The document, formally endorsed by Trump alongside leaders from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, provides for a first phase of a Gaza peace plan that includes a ceasefire and a prisoner-hostage exchange.
According to the agreement, Hamas will release the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel freeing a large number of Palestinian detainees. Israel will also pull back its troops to designated positions, under terms yet to be fully detailed.
World leaders flocked to the summit in Egypt to show support and to help steer the next steps. More than 20 countries are participating, with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer attending the proceedings. Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi is co-chairing the event with Trump.
In Tel Aviv, the exchange of hostages drew emotional reunions. Families of released individuals gathered in “Hostage Square,” celebrating the return of loved ones after more than two years in captivity.
At the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Trump declared the conflict in Gaza “over,” while noting that further phases of the plan such as Gaza governance, security assurances and Hamas disarmament still must be settled. He said, “The war in Gaza is over,” as he prepared to travel to Israel following the signing.
A major caveat remains: Hamas is not directly present at the summit, and the document relies on indirect consent through mediators. Observers caution that the declaration is only a first step, and that implementation will require ongoing diplomacy, monitoring, and enforcement.
Despite uncertainty over the next stages, Monday’s signing marks the most significant progress toward ending the Gaza conflict since it began, raising cautious hope across the region for a more stable future.
