Table of Contents
- Summit Spotlight: Two Hours That Could Change the Middle East
- Gaza War: A Timeline of Tragedy
- Egypt’s Tightrope Walk
- Gulf States Demand Palestinian Authority Involvement
- Inside Trump’s 20-Point Peace Proposal
- What Happens After the Handshakes?
- Sources
Summit Spotlight: Two Hours That Could Change the Middle East
On Monday, October 13, 2025, Sharm el-Sheikh transformed into a global diplomatic stage as over 20 world leaders gathered for a high-stakes summit aimed at ending the Gaza war. With palm-lined streets draped in banners featuring President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the event carried all the hallmarks of a classic Trump-era spectacle—but beneath the pageantry, tough negotiations loomed.
The summit, lasting just two hours, was billed by Egypt’s presidency as delivering an “agreement to end the war in Gaza.” Yet experts caution that the real work begins now—after the private jets have departed and the photo ops are over.
Gaza War: A Timeline of Tragedy
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives, according to current estimates.
Despite numerous ceasefire attempts, a lasting resolution has remained elusive—until now. President Trump’s September 2025 peace proposal has injected new momentum, but key sticking points remain unresolved.
Egypt’s Tightrope Walk
Egypt stands at the heart of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The proposal calls for reopening Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt to allow humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations. But Cairo is wary.
“Egypt will see more challenges in the second stage, as it works on the security sector and maintaining the peace,” said Aymen Abdel Wahab, deputy director of the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.
Egypt fears two major risks: being perceived as complicit in the displacement of Palestinians, and the potential infiltration of Hamas militants among refugees—raising the specter of Israeli military action on Egyptian soil.
Gulf States Demand Palestinian Authority Involvement
While Egypt manages security logistics, Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to bankroll Gaza’s reconstruction. But they’re drawing a red line: any rebuilding effort must include the Palestinian Authority (PA).
“This is really necessary to elicit support from Arab and Muslim states,” said Aziz Alghashian, a lecturer at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. “Otherwise it looks like they are funding a new form of occupation.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statement that “the military campaign in Gaza is not over” has only deepened Gulf skepticism. Without PA involvement, Gulf leaders fear pouring billions into a vacuum while Israeli operations continue.
Inside Trump’s 20-Point Peace Proposal
Though full details remain under wraps, key elements include:
- Immediate humanitarian corridor via Rafah
- Phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
- Disarmament of Hamas as a precondition for long-term peace
- International oversight of reconstruction funds
- Security guarantees for Israel and Egypt
Critics argue the plan lacks a clear roadmap for political transition in Gaza—a gap that could reignite violence if left unaddressed.
What Happens After the Handshakes?
With Trump departing the region on October 14, the burden now falls on regional actors to translate diplomatic momentum into durable peace. Arab diplomats hope the summit succeeded in aligning U.S. support with regional realities—but long-term planning remains thin.
“The world finally got something they have long wanted: U.S. buy-in,” Alghashian noted. “But how to keep the American weight there… is the harder part.”
As Gaza’s children sift through rubble and displaced families await news of loved ones, the world watches to see if this moment becomes a turning point—or another missed opportunity.
Sources
The New York Times: Beyond the Pomp of Egypt Summit, Arab Leaders Brace for Tough Negotiations
