Donald Trump celebrated a Gaza ceasefire on Monday at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, during an international summit, hailing the release of 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for 1968 Palestinian detainees. Emmanuel Macron called the event a «decisive step» and urged a role for the Palestinian Authority. Egypt announced a conference on Gaza's reconstruction.
The Gaza summit, co-chaired by Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, gathered over 30 leaders in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 13, 2025. Trump, arriving from Israel after a Knesset speech, declared: «We have peace in the Middle East» and called the event a «tremendous day for the Middle East». He praised Egypt's role and stated that «Hamas will disarm» and Gaza will be «demilitarized».
The hostage releases defined the day: Hamas handed over 20 living hostages to the Red Cross, with the first seven – Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran, and Matan Angrest – crossing the Israeli border early morning. The last 13 followed, reuniting with families after 738 days in captivity. In exchange, Israel freed 1968 Palestinian detainees from prisons like Ofer and Ktziot, welcomed joyfully in Ramallah and Khan Younes. Hamas called it a «national success» and a «victory» toward «total liberation».
Four bodies of deceased hostages were returned, but 24 remains stay in Gaza. Trump evoked a «new Middle East» and a potential Iran deal. Macron, after a firm handshake with Trump, hailed a «real advance» and pledged France's «special role» alongside the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing a two-state solution and reconstruction. The US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed a Gaza declaration. Benjamin Netanyahu skipped the summit, citing a Jewish holiday.
The UN and EU welcomed the releases, with Antonio Guterres «deeply relieved» and Kaja Kallas crediting Trump. A reconstruction conference opened near London, led by Palestinians.
