Policy

French experts count on a European role to ensure lasting peace in Gaza


French analysts believe that the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Gaza marks a pivotal moment in the Middle East’s diplomatic trajectory. However, they caution that implementation and accountability remain serious challenges, warning that the commitments being made today may fall short of ensuring lasting peace without a strong European role.

Held on Monday under the joint auspices of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit follows the signing of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes a mutual exchange of prisoners and hostages. The meeting carries strong symbolic weight, attended by more than twenty world leaders — among them Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Notably, neither Israel nor Hamas are formally participating in the signing, raising questions about the summit’s ability to produce binding outcomes.

Dr. Gilles-Emmanuel Jacquet, professor of international relations and researcher at the Geneva Institute for Peace Research, said that “the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit represents a diplomatic opportunity to relaunch the peace process, but there are fears it may remain a framework of intentions if not followed by strict monitoring and accountability mechanisms.” He added that the main weakness lies in the absence of enforceable mechanisms, as such conferences often end up as “maps of intent” that quickly fade from political agendas.

Jacquet emphasized that real success depends on including local actors such as the Palestinian Authority and resistance factions in post-summit follow-ups, rather than limiting participation to heads of state. He also warned that the absence of Israel and Hamas from the formal signing leaves a significant gap that could allow parties to evade their commitments.

Political science scholar Grégory Daho, from the “War Studies” project at the Sorbonne, noted that the key challenge is to move from a ceasefire agreement to a long-term political arrangement defining Gaza’s future governance. He believes the summit will likely focus on declarations of support, reconstruction initiatives, and security guarantees, while deeper structural issues — such as Palestinian governance, power-sharing, and reintegration of factions — will be postponed.

Daho pointed out that the implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan rests heavily on two reluctant players: Israel, which may delay troop withdrawals or border openings, and Hamas, which resists surrendering its weapons or authority. According to him, a successful outcome will require “a combination of diplomatic pressure and tangible economic commitments — reconstruction, financial aid, and credible security guarantees.”

Héloïse Fayet, researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), underlined Europe’s critical role in embedding the U.S. initiative within a multilateral framework. “The European Union can play a decisive role in ensuring that the American plan is translated into a practical and legitimate international mechanism,” she explained. Fayet suggested that the EU could tie its aid to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to compliance with the agreement, or use its diplomatic and trade leverage to establish effective monitoring systems.

Nevertheless, Fayet warned that internal divisions within the European Union — particularly regarding Germany’s stance on Israel — could weaken the bloc’s coherence. She added that the absence of Israel and Hamas from the signing table suggests that the most sensitive provisions will likely be handled through back-channel negotiations.

Despite these obstacles, the French expert believes that the summit will offer an important diplomatic platform to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction, security guarantees, oversight mechanisms, and international involvement — all essential components for achieving a sustainable peace.

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