Trump, world leaders gather in Egypt for ceasefire deal signing with Netanyahu absent

President Donald Trump joined greater than 20 world leaders in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday for talks on Gaza’s future with the primary section of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement underway.

Amongst these gathered for the summit had been Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former prime minister Tony Blair, in addition to officers from Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

The group posed for a household image in entrance of an indication that learn “Peace 2025” earlier than a signing ceremony associated to the ceasefire settlement.

Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with world leaders seated behind them, formally signed the doc that Trump mentioned would “spell out a variety of guidelines and rules and plenty of different issues.”

“This took 3,000 years to get thus far. Are you able to imagine it? And it will maintain up too. It should maintain up,” Trump mentioned in the course of signing the doc, the textual content of which was later launched by the White Home.

The memorandum, dubbed “The Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity,” laid out broad commitments the 4 leaders agreed to uphold in backing Trump’s peace plan however appeared largely symbolic.

“We perceive that lasting peace might be one through which each Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their elementary human rights protected, their safety assured, and their dignity upheld,” the memo said.

“We hereby decide to the decision of future disputes via diplomatic engagement and negotiation moderately than via pressure or protracted battle.  We acknowledge that the Center East can not endure a persistent cycle of extended warfare, stalled negotiations, or the fragmentary, incomplete, or selective software of efficiently negotiated phrases,” it mentioned.

Noticeably absent from the signing ceremony and talks in Egypt, although, had been representatives of Hamas and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace cited the Jewish vacation as the explanation for his absence, regardless of him having been immediately invited by Trump.

Simply hours earlier than, Trump and Netanyahu heaped reward on each other as Trump addressed Israel’s parliament. Trump hailed Netanyahu as “one of many best” wartime leaders and Netanyahu referred to as Trump Israel’s “best buddy” ever within the White Home.

On the Knesset, Trump additionally declared a “new daybreak within the Center East” and mentioned the conflict in Gaza was over — regardless of challenges forward in guaranteeing an enduring peace.

Trump additionally delivered remarks in Egypt through which touted the breakthrough as a turning level for the area.

“That is the day that individuals throughout this area and around the globe have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for. They’ve finished issues over the past month that I believe had been actually unthinkable. No person thought this might occur. With the historic settlement now we have simply signed, these prayers of hundreds of thousands have lastly been answered,” Trump mentioned.

Hamas launched the remaining 20 residing Israeli hostages on Monday and Israel freed Palestinian prisoners as a part of the ceasefire settlement, with emotional scenes taking part in out in Tel Aviv and Gaza as families reunited.

However many questions stay about what comes next, together with to what extent President Trump might be personally concerned in shaping a post-war Gaza.

Trump mentioned the second section of his proposed peace plan is in progress, although did not present a lot element.

“Effectively, it began. I imply, it began so far as we’re involved,” Trump mentioned as he sat with el-Sisi upon his arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh. “Section two has began. And, , the phases are all slightly bit blended in with one another. You’re gonna begin cleansing up. You have a look at Gaza it wants a variety of clean-up.”

In his speech later earlier than world leaders, Trump added: “Now, the rebuilding begins. The rebuilding is possibly going to be the simplest half. I believe we have finished a variety of the toughest half as a result of the remainder comes collectively. Everyone knows rebuild, and we all know construct higher than anyone on the earth.”

The U.S. president additionally appeared to set his sights subsequent on Iran, urging the nation to make use of this chance to work with the administration on a peace deal.

“We’re prepared if you find yourself and it will likely be the very best choice that Iran has ever made, and it will occur,” Trump mentioned throughout his speech on the Knesset.

Trump reiterated that time as he took reporter questions alongside Egypt’s president.

“I believe Iran will come alongside. They have been battered and bruised. You understand, they want some assist. They’ve massive sanctions, as , great sanctions. I might like to take the sanctions off once they’re prepared to speak,” Trump mentioned.

ABC Information’ Fritz Farrow and Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.