By Maria Maalouf
From the heart of Sharm El-Sheikh — a city that learned the language of peace long before it ever heard the roar of cannons — Egypt reclaims its historic role as a bridge between the Arab world, reason, and moderation. Here, under the joint leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the world gathers in an ambitious attempt to shape the contours of an end to a war that has exhausted Gaza for two long years.
This summit is not a routine diplomatic meeting; it is a defining moment in the modern history of the Middle East. When more than twenty world leaders — from Macron to Meloni, from King Abdullah II to Erdoğan — sit at one table, a new map of the region takes form. It is a map that declares the age of slogans over and the era of political realism begun — where sustainable peace is the only viable path forward.
President Trump, returning to the global stage with a new peace initiative, appeared in Sharm El-Sheikh more pragmatic than ever. He spoke the language of action rather than repetition, insisting that a ceasefire is the natural gateway to any broader peace. His vision does not seek to redraw borders but to redefine relationships and balances of power — transforming the conflict from a zero-sum struggle into a process of mutual understanding.
As for Egypt, it has once again proven itself indispensable. Cairo has not merely played the role of mediator; it has become the cornerstone of the post-war architecture. Today, Egypt is reshaping the very definition of peace: security in exchange for reconstruction, sovereignty in exchange for stability. Cairo understands that calm in Gaza is not the end of a war — it is the beginning of a new test of whether Arabs can build peace with their own hands.
The timing of the summit coinciding with the release of hostages and the flow of humanitarian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing was no coincidence. This time, humanity preceded politics — as if destiny itself wanted to remind us that the road to peace begins when compassion triumphs over calculation. Even the tragic death of three Qatari embassy staff en route to the summit serves as a solemn reminder that the path of peace is always lined with sacrifice.
The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit does more than reorder the region’s priorities; it signals a global recognition that Middle Eastern security cannot be achieved through sanctions or force, but through dialogue. It is the first high-level summit in decades to place Gaza within a comprehensive international framework — uniting East and West around one principle: wars, no matter how long they last, yield only devastation, while peace remains the smartest investment in the future.
Ultimately, Sharm El-Sheikh reminds the world that reason can triumph over instinct, and that the voice of wisdom — however faint amid the clamor of guns — can still shape history. With Trump’s pragmatic approach and Egypt’s balanced diplomacy, this summit represents a rare chance to enshrine a new equation: there is no victory in war, only in the ability to end it.
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My Commentary on the Results:
The outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit mark a turning point in post-war diplomacy. The most tangible result is the shift from confrontation to coordination — not only between the U.S. and Egypt, but also among rival regional powers like Turkey, Israel, and Qatar. The decision to sustain the ceasefire through an international monitoring mechanism backed by both Washington and Cairo is a strategic breakthrough that could stabilize Gaza for the first time in years.
Equally important is the emergence of a new Arab-led peace framework, where reconstruction funds are tied to security guarantees and accountability mechanisms — a model that could serve as a prototype for future conflicts.
Yet, the real test lies ahead. The summit’s success depends on whether the parties can translate the rhetoric of peace into concrete governance for Gaza — balancing humanitarian recovery with political realism.
Still, one cannot overlook the symbolism: Sharm El-Sheikh once again became the capital of peace, echoing Egypt’s Camp David legacy while ushering in a new chapter of U.S.-Arab cooperation.
If the commitments made here hold, this could be remembered as the summit that ended the Gaza war and redefined Middle Eastern diplomacy — from endless crisis management to shared responsibility for peace.
