Egyptian President: Trump’s Mideast Plan is ‘Last Chance’ for Peace/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi called President Trump’s Middle East peace plan the “last chance” for lasting peace, during a high-stakes summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The international gathering backs a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and sets the stage for Gaza’s rebuilding. Trump received Egypt’s highest civilian honor and global praise, but major challenges remain.
Egypt Backs Trump’s Peace Plan: Quick Looks
- El-Sissi calls Trump’s proposal the “last chance” for Mideast peace
- Egypt summit aims to enforce Gaza ceasefire and chart next steps
- Trump awarded Egypt’s Order of the Nile for peacemaking efforts
- Over 20 world leaders attend summit, including UK, France, Turkey
- Palestinian Authority to assume transitional control of Gaza
- Hamas excluded from governing Gaza under Trump’s roadmap
- Disarmament, Gaza reconstruction, and security are next phase goals
- Trump’s “Board of Peace” to oversee implementation
- Estimated $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza
- International force may require UN Security Council resolution
Egyptian President: Trump’s Mideast Plan is ‘Last Chance’ for Peace
Deep Look
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — In a major diplomatic milestone, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi declared that President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace proposal represents the “last chance” to resolve the region’s long-standing conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
Speaking at a multinational summit held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, el-Sissi called for swift implementation of the plan and reiterated support for a two-state solution, affirming Palestinians’ right to a sovereign state.
“We are counting on President Trump to ensure full implementation,” el-Sissi said.
Trump Honored Amid Ceasefire Celebration
El-Sissi awarded Trump Egypt’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Nile, in recognition of his administration’s successful negotiation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, ending a devastating two-year war.
The summit, attended by more than 20 global leaders, is seen as a decisive step in transitioning from truce to peace. Among the leaders present were King Abdullah of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Although Israel and Hamas were not directly present — with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu citing a Jewish holiday — pressure from regional powers and the U.S. helped solidify the agreement’s first phase.
Ceasefire and Phase One Implementation
The summit followed a key milestone in the peace plan’s rollout:
- Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages
- Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners
- Israeli forces began limited withdrawals from parts of Gaza
- Palestinians began returning to areas previously evacuated
- Humanitarian aid trucks prepared for large-scale entry into Gaza
What’s Next: Disarmament, Governance, and Reconstruction
According to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the next steps under Trump’s plan will include:
- Disarming Hamas
- Establishing a post-war transitional government in Gaza
- Creating a Palestinian security force trained by Egypt and Jordan
- Deploying an international peacekeeping mission backed by a UN resolution
“We need American engagement, even deployment on the ground,” Abdelatty told the Associated Press.
He also noted that Hamas will play no role in governing Gaza during the transitional period. Instead, a 15-member technocratic committee, approved by Israel, will handle civilian governance with oversight from a proposed “Board of Peace”—a body envisioned by Trump to supervise implementation.
The Cost of Rebuilding Gaza
Gaza’s recovery will require massive investment. According to World Bank estimates and Egypt’s postwar strategy, $53 billion is needed for reconstruction and humanitarian recovery.
Egypt announced plans to host an international reconstruction conference in November to coordinate donor contributions and logistical planning.
Meanwhile, the UK pledged £20 million ($27 million) for Gaza’s water and sanitation needs. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also committed to hosting a three-day international summit focused on long-term recovery.
“Britain is ready to play its full part,” Starmer said from Sharm el-Sheikh.
Global Support and Geopolitical Shifts
The summit reflects widespread international interest in ensuring the ceasefire leads to a lasting resolution. Countries playing key roles include:
- Turkey, which hosted Hamas leaders for years and helped facilitate ceasefire talks
- Jordan, working with Egypt to train Gaza’s future security forces
- Germany, expressing concerns over Israel’s handling of the war but remaining a key partner
- European Union, Italy, and the United Nations, offering political backing and diplomatic pressure
Conspicuously absent from the summit: Iran, a key backer of Hamas. Analysts say Tehran’s influence in the region has waned following its brief war with Israel in June, and the new peace framework highlights its increasing isolation.
Sharm el-Sheikh: The “City of Peace”
Sharm el-Sheikh — now a luxury resort hub — has deep roots in regional diplomacy. The city has hosted numerous peace summits over the years:
- 1996 Peacemakers Summit, co-chaired by President Bill Clinton
- 2005 Summit, where Israeli PM Ariel Sharon and PA President Mahmoud Abbas declared an end to the Second Intifada
- Formerly occupied by Israel, the Sinai town was returned to Egypt in 1982 following the Camp David Accords
Now, President el-Sissi’s summit marks a new chapter, placing Egypt once again at the center of Mideast peace negotiations.
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