US President Trump signed a document with Egypt’s, Qatar’s, and Turkey’s leaders welcoming the agreements on Gaza during a peace summit in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, with 31 countries and organizations present.
Trump, who arrived at the summit directly after leaving Israel, said that “everyone will want to join the Abraham Accords now.”
Attendees were received on a red carpet as Trump stood on stage in front of a banner reading: “Peace 2025.”
The American president stated that the document was “very comprehensive,” outlining the rules and regulations for the Gaza Strip’s future.
Further, Trump said that in order to reconstruct Gaza, Hamas would need to be demilitarized.
He also thanked Arab and Islamic nations for their role in achieving the breakthrough that led to the end of the war and the release of the living hostages from Gaza.
“We seek tolerance, respect, and equal opportunity for every person, ensuring the region becomes a place where everyone can aspire to peace, security, and economic prosperity, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity,” the document read. “We strive for a comprehensive vision of peace, security, and shared prosperity in the region, based on principles of mutual respect and a shared destiny.”
“In this spirit,” it continued, “we welcome the progress achieved toward establishing comprehensive and sustainable peace arrangements in the Gaza Strip, as well as the friendly and mutually beneficial relations between Israel and its regional neighbors.”
“We commit to working together to implement and maintain this legacy and to build the foundations upon which future generations can flourish together in peace. We jointly pledge to a future of lasting peace,” it said.
Appearing together later on Monday, Trump praised President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
“He played a very important role. I appreciate it very much,” Trump said of Sisi, whom he called an influential leader who keeps crime down in his country.
The US president called the Monday event a “great day for the Middle East.”
Netanyahu unable to attend peace summit
Sisi said that a two-state solution was the only way to achieve the ambitions of the Palestinians and the Israelis alike.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump that he would not be able to attend the peace summit due to its High Holy Days timing, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The PMO’s announcement contradicted one made by the Egyptian presidency’s spokesperson in which it was initially said that Netanyahu would be present at the summit.
According to the Lebanese news channel Al Mayadeen, the prime minister was absent due to a threat concerning Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani.
Later reports said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to land in Egypt after learning mid-flight that Netanyahu might attend the summit.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was in attendance at the Sharm el-Sheikh peace conference on Monday. Trump had previously banned Abbas from entering the US to attend the UN General Assembly session, where France and Saudi Arabia were leading the push to recognize a Palestinian state.
Trump praised Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who was represented in Egypt by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
“I thank Salman, the Saudi crown prince,” Trump said. “He is an inspiring leader and a special friend of mine. He has done a fantastic job for his country.”
During the summit, the American president also met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto following speculations that he might travel to Israel during Trump’s historic Knesset trip. However, Indonesia denied any plans to visit Israel.
Maariv contributed to this report.