At a high-profile conference of world leaders in Egypt about ending the war in the Gaza Strip, President Trump and the leaders of three other nations made a big production out of what he called “a very important signing,” characterizing it as a major breakthrough in the decades-long search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
But what is actually demanded from its signatories in the document they signed remains unclear, despite the very public ceremony. “We’re going to be signing a document that’s going to spell out a lot of rules and regulations and lots of other things,” Mr. Trump said just before the signing. “It’s very comprehensive.”
Mr. Trump offered no insight on the substance of their agreement and he barely mentioned the two warring parties, Israel and Hamas. Neither were represented at the conference. The signatories were the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, all of whom played a role in brokering a cease-fire and hostage-for-prisoners exchange last week.
“We’ve already signed documents in the Middle East having to do with Israel and Hamas and just about everything else,” Mr. Trump said.
Seated at a table along with Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi; Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; and the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Mr. Trump was effusive in his praise of these leaders and their efforts to broker a truce in the two-year war in Gaza.
Behind the table with the signers sat other world leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney. Green folders with the document had been placed in front of the heads of state at the table, and a hush fell over the room. Momentarily, only the sound of pens on paper could be heard.
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The post Trump Touts ‘Very Important Signing,’ but Details Are Few appeared first on New York Times.
