Egypt opens a summit on the Gaza crisis on Saturday to try to head off a wider regional war but assembled Middle Eastern and European leaders are expected to struggle to agree a common position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas terror group. The absence of a top official from Israel's main ally the United States and some other major Western leaders has cooled expectations for what the hastily-convened event can achieve.
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Egypt refrained from inviting Iran to participate in the summit after receiving negative signals from the U.S., the UK-based Al-Jadeed reported quoting Egyptian diplomatic sources. The sources said the summit would discuss economic aid to the Gaza Strip after the war and the Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists after being abducted in the murderous attack two weeks ago.
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Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas attends the International Peace Summit
(Photo: Khaled Desouki / AFP)
The report said a statement that will be made after the summit may include a call for the immediate release of the hostages and foreign nationals in the Strip, through mediation efforts of participating nations.
The final statement is expected also to include "proposed steps to bring about a ceasefire." A call for an immediate ceasefire was contested by European countries in attendance. The absence of the U.S. was attributed to the embarrassment of others in the summit after Washington made clear that it stands in support of Israel.
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Seen on a large screen UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly greeted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi
(Photo: Khaled Desouki / AFP)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani will be by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who is hosting the summit. The UAE and Iraq will also participate. In attendance will be the leaders of Italy, Spain, Greece and Canada and the foreign ministers of Germany, France the UK, and Japan. UN Sec. General António Guterres and the president of the EU Charles Michel will also attend.