SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi told a summit of world leaders Monday that US President Donald Trump’s Mideast proposal represents the “last chance” for peace in the region and reiterated his call for a two-state solution, saying Palestinians have the right to an independent state.
The summit in Egypt was aimed at supporting the ceasefire reached in Gaza, ending the Israel-Hamas war and developing a long-term vision to rebuild the devastated Palestinian territory.
Trump’s plan holds out the possibility of a Palestinian state, but only after a lengthy transition period in Gaza and a reform process by the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian independence.
In his speech, El-Sisi also also awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, the country’s highest civilian honor.
Israel and Hamas came under pressure from the United States, Arab countries and Turkiye to agree on the ceasefire’s first phase negotiated in Qatar through mediators. The truce began Friday.
