An international summit convened in Paris on October 9, 2025, focusing intensely on the future trajectory of the Gaza Strip following the implementation of a temporary ceasefire accord between Israel and the Hamas movement. This crucial high-level meeting, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, took place at the historic Élysée Palace, serving as a vital diplomatic hub. The gathering successfully brought together high-level representatives from various key European and Arab nations, alongside Kaia Kallas, the European Union’s chief of foreign diplomacy. The primary objectives of the assembly were multifaceted: to deliberate on concrete measures for stabilizing the volatile situation in Gaza, synchronize international aid efforts efficiently, and discuss the practical execution of the initial phase of the comprehensive peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Central to the discussions were the critical issues surrounding Gaza's governance in the post-conflict era. Participants explored the potential establishment of multinational stabilization forces designed to secure the region, bolster the operations of the Palestinian Authority, and facilitate the distribution of essential humanitarian assistance. President Macron underscored the necessity of collaborating closely with the American initiative. He characterized the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered in Sharm el-Sheikh, as “historical,” but stressed that subsequent steps toward full plan implementation must proceed without delay. Furthermore, he affirmed France’s willingness to allocate resources and participate in training Palestinian security personnel, working in concert with Jordan and Egypt.
Adding the European perspective, EU foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas announced the European Union's readiness to reactivate its border mission at Rafah and provide substantial support for regional stabilization efforts. She described the current juncture as the “best chance for the international community” to ensure compliance with the agreements reached and to lay the groundwork for Gaza’s reconstruction after the recent conflict. European and Arab ministers engaged in detailed discussions concerning the potential modalities of their countries' involvement in the stabilization mission, including training, equipping, and, if deemed necessary, the deployment of personnel. However, definitive decisions regarding these commitments remain subject to ongoing deliberation.
Notably, the United States delegation was absent from the Paris meeting. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had initially planned to attend but canceled his participation due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts that arose following the conclusion of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement. French diplomatic sources were quick to clarify that the lack of US representation was purely organizational. They emphasized that maintaining close coordination with Washington remains an absolutely pivotal element of the overall strategy for regional peace.
The summit, however, drew sharp criticism from the Israeli side. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar publicly stated that the gathering had been conducted “behind Israel's back,” suggesting it was merely an attempt by Paris to divert attention from France's pressing domestic challenges. Despite this strong objection and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event, the Paris summit marks a significant milestone for the international community. It served as a crucial platform for discussing the complex requirements for the stabilization of Gaza, unequivocally highlighting the indispensable need for synchronized efforts and unified action between European and Arab nations to maintain regional peace and prevent any further, devastating escalation of the conflict in the volatile Middle Eastern region.