Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh due to the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, his office announced on Monday. The announcement came shortly after Egypt’s presidency stated that Netanyahu would be attending the summit following a phone call between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day. During the call, Trump, who is co-chairing the summit, was reportedly accompanied by Netanyahu while in Israel, where the three leaders discussed the ongoing ceasefire efforts in Gaza. The summit, held in the Red Sea resort city, brings together regional and international leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreement and reaffirm all parties’ commitment to maintaining peace and supporting post-war reconstruction efforts. Netanyahu’s absence comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in Egypt to advance long-term peace in Gaza. The decision coincides with Simchat Torah, the Jewish holiday marking the conclusion of the weeklong Sukkot festival, a harvest celebration that commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt. Netanyahu has faced international scrutiny since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest…
