Sharm El-Sheikh: The absence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Gaza Peace Agreement signing ceremony has raised questions, even as leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar signed the historic accord aimed at ending months of conflict in the region.
While Israeli officials hailed the ceasefire as a “strategic success,” Netanyahu’s decision to stay away from the event drew international attention.
According to Israeli media reports, the Prime Minister intentionally distanced himself from the signing ceremony. Sources claim that Netanyahu’s absence was linked to his reluctance to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and several Middle Eastern leaders, particularly Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Meanwhile, Turkish media outlets reported that President Erdoğan had expressed reservations about attending the event if Netanyahu was present.
As per reports, Erdoğan’s plane — moments before landing at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport — circled in the air after receiving word that the Israeli leader might attend. Egyptian authorities were informed that the Turkish delegation would return if Netanyahu participated in the summit.
However, once it was confirmed that Netanyahu would not attend, Erdoğan’s aircraft landed, and the Turkish delegation took part in the ceremony alongside other world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
The Gaza Peace Agreement, signed in Sharm El-Sheikh, marks a significant diplomatic development in efforts to stabilize the Middle East and bring relief to civilians affected by the prolonged conflict.
