German chancellor to attend Gaza ceasefire signing ceremony in Egypt

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to travel to Egypt on October 13 to attend the signing ceremony of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Merz’s visit comes at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who extended the offer during a recent phone call in which the two leaders discussed Cairo’s mediation efforts to halt hostilities in Gaza. The ceremony will take place in the coastal resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, rather than in the capital Cairo, due to heightened security arrangements facilitated by Egyptian and American forces, Caliber.Az reports via Bild. 

Several world leaders are expected to attend the event, including US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. It remains unclear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be present.

The ceasefire agreement follows intensive international mediation led by Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar, under US supervision. The first phase of the deal took effect on October 10, aiming to end two years of Israeli military operations in Gaza. It includes the release of all Israeli hostages, dead and alive, held by Hamas in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

A second phase envisions the establishment of a new governing authority in Gaza without Hamas, the creation of a joint Palestinian-Arab security force, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Chancellor Merz has previously voiced Germany’s support for a political transition in Gaza, a lasting ceasefire, and the region’s reconstruction. Germany has pledged €29 million in aid for the Palestinian civilian population, along with assistance for the reintegration of released Israeli hostages.

By Sabina Mammadli