GAZA: Egypt will host an international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Egyptian presidential spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy said on Saturday.
More than 20 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the meeting. The summit seeks to build consensus on a plan that would halt hostilities and lay the groundwork for Gaza’s postwar governance.
Trump’s 20-point proposal envisions Israel maintaining a long-term security presence along its border with Gaza, while an international force, primarily composed of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would oversee security within the enclave.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has called for the force to be authorized by the UN Security Council.
According to the Israeli military, its troops will continue operating defensively in the roughly 50 percent of Gaza still under its control after recent withdrawals to designated lines.
The United States, meanwhile, plans to set up a coordination center in Israel to manage Gaza-related issues until a permanent administration is established, an official familiar with the discussions said.
More than 67,000 Palestinian casualties
Israel’s military campaign after Oct. 7, 2023 has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which reports that roughly half of the dead are women and children.
The ministry’s figures are widely regarded by the United Nations and independent experts as the most reliable available.
The conflict has fueled broader instability across the Middle East, triggered global protests and prompted international calls for accountability over alleged human rights violations.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit is expected to focus on securing a lasting cease-fire, coordinating humanitarian aid delivery, and outlining a framework for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance once the fighting stops.
