Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Egypt on October 13, 2025, to take part in the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit and attend the signing ceremony of a new Gaza peace agreement. He described the plan as a “crucial step towards lasting peace in the Middle East” and credited the diplomatic efforts behind the summit for bringing the parties together.
Last week, Israel and Hamas reached an initial agreement to exchange prisoners and implement a ceasefire — the first phase under Trump’s proposed framework. On arriving in Egypt, PM Shehbaz thanked hosts President El Sisi and President Trump, stating that without Trump’s leadership, “this moment” would not have been possible. He further affirmed that the signing marks the “closing of a genocidal chapter,” stressing that the international community must ensure no repetition of such devastation.
Shehbaz also voiced strong support for a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital. The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh is expected to host over 20 heads of state, including President Trump and President Sisi, although neither Israel nor Hamas will be present.
International leaders such as Keir Starmer (UK), Giorgia Meloni (Italy), Pedro Sánchez (Spain), Emmanuel Macron (France), and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey) are also scheduled to attend. The European Union will be represented by its Council President, and King Abdullah II of Jordan is likewise expected.
While the peace plan signing is intended to pave the way toward stability in Gaza, critics note that neither Israel nor Hamas is participating directly in the ceremony. Hamas has stated it continues to engage via Qatari and Egyptian mediators, rather than formal attendance.
