Theatrics take centre stage at Trump's Gaza summit in Egypt

US President Donald Trump’s lightning summit in Egypt, meant to cement a ceasefire in Gaza, was more a celebration of one man’s newfound role as a peacemaker than a high-level political negotiation, according to diplomats.

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President Donald Trump speaking during the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Oct 13. As Mr Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered addresses, many of the world leaders present at the event stood dutifully behind them, raising eyebrows.

(PHOTO: KENNY HOLSTON/NYTIMES)

Mr Trump and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey - guarantors of the Israel-Hamas deal - signed a document on Oct 13 that one diplomat called “more of a vision statement than anything”.

In devastated Gaza, the ceasefire is mostly holding, but most of the details of the US leader’s 20-point peace plan have yet to be thrashed out. These include significant possible stumbling blocks, such as Hamas’ disarmament, the Palestinian territory’s future governance, and the role of a supervisory so-called “Board of Peace”.

While Mr Trump held what amounted to a victory rally in the Israeli Knesset on Oct 13, more than two dozen world leaders - including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and UN chief Antonio Guterres - were kept waiting all day in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

In a meeting held ahead of his arrival, they intended to press him on aid and governance, according to a participant.