Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US President Donald Trump that he would not be able to attend the peace summit in Egypt, due to "the timing being close to the start of the holiday," the Prime Minister's Office said.
The PMO announcement comes in contrast with a spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency initially stating that the Israeli leader would be present at the summit, which will host representatives of over 20 countries, including Trump, as well as previous reports that had said The Wing of Zion, Israel's state plane, was reportedly undergoing examinations before the flight.
Netanyahu thanked Trump for his invitation to the summit, and "for his efforts to expand the circle of peace."
Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi held a phone call on Monday afternoon, hours before Sisi is set to host the summit, an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post.
Final preparations for the summit completed
Egypt had said on Sunday that completed final preparations to host the signing of a “Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement” to end the war in Gaza.
The Egyptian presidency announced the summit’s aims are to end the fighting, bolster efforts toward peace and stability in the Middle East, and “open a new page” of regional security.
Washington has invited a large number of states to attend the summit, according to statements carried in Arabic-language coverage.