Egypt is hosting a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to seal the agreement ending the Gaza war. More than 20 heads of state and government, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump, are invited. The ceasefire took effect on Friday.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has accepted the invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to the celebrations marking the Gaza ceasefire. His participation is planned, though concrete travel arrangements are not yet available, according to government sources in Berlin.
On Friday, Merz spoke by phone with al-Sisi. The chancellor thanked the president for his mediation in ending the war and praised Egypt's role as host of the peace talks, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said. Merz stated that Germany would work with Egypt on releasing hostages held by Hamas, ensuring a stable ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid, and rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea is set for Monday. US President Donald Trump announced a Middle East trip, during which he will discuss Gaza's future with leaders in Egypt and then visit Israel to address the Knesset. French President Emmanuel Macron will also attend to reaffirm support for a two-state solution. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to praise the mediation by Trump, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, and call for international coordination on ceasefire monitoring and establishing a transitional government in Gaza.
Hamas will not be represented; only mediators and US and Israeli officials will attend. Qatar mediated alongside the US and Egypt. Israel and Hamas held no direct talks. The ceasefire entered into force on Friday noon after both sides agreed to the first part of Trump's peace plan: Hamas-held hostages are to be released within 72 hours, in exchange for Israel freeing around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.