The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye have signed a significant declaration aimed at maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza. This agreement comes as families of 24 hostages, still held by Hamas, await updates on their loved ones' release. The declaration was made shortly after the last remaining living hostages were reunited with their families.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had just concluded a speech to the Israeli parliament, traveled to Egypt for the summit. "We have peace in the Middle East," Trump stated after signing the ceasefire agreement. He emphasized the need to rebuild Gaza following two years of conflict, saying, "We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us, and to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, the summit's host, reiterated his call for a two-state solution. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attended the meeting after receiving a last-minute invitation and met with Trump. Notably, representatives from Hamas and Israel were absent from the summit, which took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort town in Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined the invitation, citing the proximity of a holiday.

The agreement was reached shortly after Hamas released the last 20 surviving hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. On that day, thousands of Israelis gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to welcome the hostages back. The Israeli government shared photos and videos of the reunion, posting messages of support on social media. However, only four bodies of deceased hostages were returned, and the Israeli Defense Forces stated that identification procedures would be conducted on the remains. A group representing the families of hostages accused Hamas of violating the agreement by not returning more bodies, calling it a "blatant breach of the agreement."

Following the release of the hostages, Israel returned nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were serving life sentences. The conflict began after Hamas's attacks on Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 individuals. Israel's military response has reportedly led to nearly 68,000 fatalities in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

During his visit to Israel prior to the summit, Trump met with families of the released hostages and addressed the Knesset. He told Israeli lawmakers, "You've won. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East." Trump also pledged U.S. support for rebuilding Gaza and urged Palestinians to abandon violence. "After tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down," he said. He emphasized the need for Gazans to focus on stability, safety, dignity, and economic development for a better future for their children.