Israel and Hamas are preparing for a hostage-prisoner exchange. At the same time, the United States and Egypt will host a major peace summit to end the Gaza conflict. US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi will chair the meeting on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, a Red Sea resort city.

The Egyptian presidency said leaders from more than 20 countries will attend. The official statement said the goal is “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability.”

Top Global Leaders Confirm Attendance

UN Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed he will attend the summit. European leaders including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed their participation.

Their presence shows strong international backing for peace efforts after years of violence between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu’s Attendance Still Unknown

It is still unclear if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will attend the summit. Israel has accepted the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, but Netanyahu’s participation has not been confirmed.

Hamas, however, has said it will not join the meeting.

The summit comes days after three Qatari diplomats died and two others were injured in a car crash at the same Red Sea resort, Reuters reported, citing Egyptian security sources.

Ceasefire Agreement Paves the Way

The meeting follows an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of a ceasefire plan proposed by President Trump. The deal came after indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part in the discussions. Their efforts helped secure the truce and increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The war began two years ago after Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people. Israel’s military response has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians.

Palestinians Return to Ruined Homes

After the ceasefire, thousands of Palestinians started returning to northern Gaza. Many walked or used carts and cars to reach their destroyed neighborhoods.

“It is an indescribable feeling; praise be to God,” said Nabila Basa, who walked with her daughter, injured in the war. “We are very, very happy that the war has stopped, and the suffering has ended.”

But for many, Gaza is no longer home. The fighting left entire areas in ruins, and thousands now have no homes to return to despite the truce.