SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, Oct 13, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for what he described as a critical contribution to securing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Speaking during a high-level summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, Trump credited Sisi with playing an “important role” in facilitating the agreement that led to the release of hostages and the start of a formal truce between Israel and Hamas.
Trump and Sisi lead peace talks in Egypt after successful prisoner and hostage exchange in Gaza conflict.
The summit marked the first in-person meeting between Trump and Sisi since the Gaza conflict escalated earlier this year. It was attended by senior officials and heads of state from more than 20 countries, including representatives from the United Nations and the Arab League. The gathering focused on implementing the recently announced ceasefire deal, which has brought a temporary halt to five months of intense fighting. Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza since May, while Israel freed approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees.
The exchange was completed under the supervision of Egyptian and Qatari mediators and coordinated with international observers. Both sides confirmed that all individuals listed in the initial phase of the deal had been transferred without incident. Trump, who has been actively involved in ceasefire negotiations alongside regional leaders, called the hostages’ release a “major step” and highlighted Egypt’s geographic and diplomatic position as pivotal in bridging gaps between parties.
Key leaders coordinate aid and post-war efforts
He said the summit’s agenda would now shift to “securing the peace” through sustained diplomatic engagement and a structured post-conflict recovery plan. President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to regional stability and said his government would continue working with all relevant stakeholders to prevent further violence. He emphasized the importance of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, noting that civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and utility networks, had been severely damaged in the fighting. The summit also addressed the logistics of delivering humanitarian aid and ensuring safe access for international organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.
Officials confirmed that additional convoys carrying medical supplies, food, and fuel had crossed into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing under new monitoring protocols agreed to by Egypt, Israel, and international agencies. While the summit did not result in the signing of any new agreements, it served to reaffirm existing commitments and to launch working groups tasked with overseeing demilitarization, aid coordination, and civilian governance frameworks. Egyptian, Turkish, and Qatari delegations were assigned roles in technical committees set to begin work later this week in Cairo.
Ceasefire agreement garners international support
Security around the summit venue was tight, with Egyptian authorities deploying additional personnel in coordination with visiting delegations. No incidents were reported during the two-day meeting. Trump is expected to continue consultations with Middle Eastern leaders over the coming weeks as part of broader diplomatic efforts to consolidate the truce. He departed Egypt on Monday evening following bilateral talks with several regional heads of state. The Gaza ceasefire agreement, brokered through months of indirect negotiations, has brought the first sustained period of calm to the region since hostilities intensified earlier this year. International monitors remain in place to observe compliance and report on progress made in the implementation phase.