• Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit
• President Trump declares “Gaza War is over”
Cairo – Egypt ,Washington,USA – October 13, 2025
Reported by:
Christian Megan – Abeer Almadawy
Trump’s declaration is an electrifying headline, capturing the historic momentum as world leaders converge on Egypt to formalise the Gaza ceasefire. The dramatic statement from the US President on the eve of the summit, which aims to transition the region from a two-year conflict to an era of “strong, durable, and everlasting peace,” has injected unprecedented optimism into the highly anticipated diplomatic event. This high-stakes meeting, co-chaired by the US and Egypt, represents the most significant push for regional stability in years, seeking to lay the political and financial groundwork for Gaza’s post-war future.
The US President departed for the Middle East on Sunday, October 12, travelling first to Israel before heading to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump was unequivocal about the breakthrough, brokered over weeks of intense negotiations led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
“The war is over, OK? You understand that?”
President Trump stated, adding that he believed the ceasefire would hold because “people are tired of it.” The declaration follows the successful negotiation of the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, which secured a temporary halt to fighting and, crucially, the agreed-upon release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The focus of the diplomatic world now shifts to the Egyptian resort, dubbed the “City of Peace,” where the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit is scheduled for Monday afternoon. Co-chaired by President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the summit is designed to consolidate the truce, accelerate the flow of humanitarian aid into the devastated Gaza Strip, and, most importantly, begin outlining a political framework for the enclave’s post-war governance and reconstruction.
The Egyptian Presidency confirmed the participation of leaders and high-level representatives from more than 20 countries and international bodies. Notable attendees confirmed for the summit include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and key regional players like the King of Jordan and the Emir of Qatar. The widespread, high-level attendance underscores the global mandate for transforming the fragile ceasefire into a lasting political reality.
For Britain, Prime Minister Starmer’s attendance signifies the UK’s commitment to the post-war phase. Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister will pay tribute to the mediating roles of the US, Egypt, and Qatar, while urging international coordination to move swiftly to the next, more complex phases of the peace deal. France’s President Macron is also expected to use the summit to reaffirm support for a two-state solution, a key diplomatic pillar for long-term regional stability.
However, the summit is not without its diplomatic complexities. While Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed his attendance, neither Israel nor the militant group Hamas will be directly represented at the formal signing ceremony. Israel has repeatedly ruled out the Palestinian Authority’s involvement in Gaza’s post-war governance, a central and contentious issue that the summit is mandated to address. Furthermore, Iran, a key regional power, reportedly declined an invitation to attend. These absences underscore the challenging path ahead, even as the ceasefire holds firm.
The deal’s first phase, which took effect last Friday, mandates the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages by Monday. In exchange, Israel is set to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees. A senior Hamas official has confirmed the group’s commitment to “an end to the war,” while Israel’s government has conditioned the release of Palestinian prisoners on the safe return of all living hostages to Israeli territory.
President Trump also announced that a “Board of Peace,” chaired by himself, would be established to oversee Gaza’s vast and urgent reconstruction efforts, which he grimly described as currently being a “demolition site.” The formation of an economic development plan, backed by “wealthy countries” to rebuild Gaza, is a core agenda item for the Sharm el-Sheikh gathering, aiming to pivot the region’s focus from conflict to economic revitalisation.
As the world leaders gather, the air of cautious celebration is palpable. The successful implementation of the first phase of the deal provides a foundation, but the true test of this historic diplomatic effort—the conversion of a truce into an enduring peace—begins now on the sands of the Red Sea. The world watches to see if President Trump’s bold declaration, ‘The war is over,’ can be cemented into reality by the signatories meeting in Egypt.
HEADLINE POINTS:
* TRUMP’S WAR END DECLARATION: US President Donald Trump declared “The war is over” in Gaza as he departed for a high-stakes visit to Israel and Egypt to mark the ceasefire.
* SHARM EL-SHEIKH SUMMIT: Egypt’s Red Sea resort hosts a major international peace summit co-chaired by President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Monday.
* HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE: The summit will be attended by leaders and representatives from over 20 nations, including the Prime Ministers of the UK, France, and Italy, along with the UN Secretary-General.
* AGENDA FOCUS: The primary aims of the summit are to consolidate the ceasefire, accelerate humanitarian aid flow, and establish a political framework for Gaza’s post-war governance and reconstruction.
* HOSTAGE RELEASE: The summit coincides with the expected release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, with a truce holding for the third consecutive day.
* TRUMP’S PEACE BOARD: President Trump announced the formation of a “Board of Peace,” to be chaired by himself, to oversee the international economic development and reconstruction of Gaza.
* KEY ABSENCES: Both Israel and Hamas are not sending representatives to the formal signing ceremony, highlighting contentious issues over the final peace arrangements, including the future role of the Palestinian Authority.
