Egypt will host a summit on Saturday to discuss “current developments and the future of the Palestinian cause and the peace process”, according to people briefed on the discussions.
While a large number of leaders from the Middle East are expected to attend, many European capitals are unwilling to participate due to a push by the hosts to include a call for a ceasefire in the conflict in the draft summit statement and no explicit reference to Israel’s right to self defence.
The EU is expected to be represented by Charles Michel, president of the European Council, and the prime minister of Greece and president of Cyprus, said the people, who added that plans could still change.
EU leaders agreed a joint position this week, which “strongly emphasise[s] Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law.”