International Leaders Convene for Gaza Peace Summit Following Ceasefire

Ahead of a major peace conference in Egypt, diplomatic initiatives are intensifying following the establishment of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The United States and Egypt are coordinating a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where world leaders will discuss the next stages of a US-proposed peace plan for the region.

The summit is set to be chaired by the US President and Egypt's President, with participation from over 20 heads of state and government. While the event is expected to gather significant international attention, the delegation from Hamas has declined to attend the formal signing of the peace agreement. Despite this, the organization indicated that it would continue to be involved indirectly through mediators from Qatar and Egypt.

Several prominent European leaders, including France's President, Italy's Prime Minister, Spain's Prime Minister, and the British Prime Minister, have confirmed their attendance at the summit. The German Chancellor is also expected to participate, having acknowledged the invitation from Egypt. The gathering brings together representatives from the United States, the five largest European Union member states, EU institutions, and several Arab and Islamic countries.

The central aim of the summit is to address the implementation of the initial phase of the US peace initiative, which was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas. Under the terms of the ceasefire, all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza are to be released within 72 hours of the truce taking effect. In exchange, Israel has agreed to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Additionally, the Israeli military has begun withdrawing from specific areas of the Gaza Strip as stipulated in the accord.

On the ground in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have started to return to their homes in the northern region since the ceasefire began. According to local civil protection authorities, more than half a million people have returned to the city of Gaza. The humanitarian situation remains challenging, with many families seeking to reestablish their lives after months of conflict and displacement.

Despite not attending the summit, Hamas maintains that it will not consent to any arrangement that involves the removal of Palestinians from their territory. The organization reiterated its stance that any discussions about expelling Palestinians, regardless of their political affiliation, are unacceptable. Hamas has also acknowledged that the next phase of the peace process is likely to be complex and will require continued negotiation and mediation.

The current ceasefire marks a significant step towards de-escalation after months of intense hostilities in Gaza. However, diplomatic sources caution that the implementation of the peace plan faces numerous obstacles, including divergent interests among involved stakeholders and the enduring distrust between parties. The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue and negotiation, aiming to solidify the initial progress made under the US-led initiative and to map out a path toward a sustainable resolution for the region.