A “Human Moment” at the Gaza Peace Summit

A brief, candid exchange between world leaders provided a moment of levity at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Monday, where discussions centered on stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan greeted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a smile before affectionately teasing her about her smoking habit.

Erdoğan quipped: “I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking.“

🇹🇷🇮🇹 ERDOGAN TO MELONI: I HAVE TO MAKE YOU STOP SMOKING

Erdogan:

"I saw you coming down from the plane.

You look great.

But I have to make you stop smoking."

Meloni:

"I know, I know.

I don't want to kill somebody"

Source: @ihacomtr https://t.co/FX7G3CR5g1 pic.twitter.com/glcfOZAA6Z

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 13, 2025

Standing nearby, French President Emmanuel Macron chuckled and joined in, declaring, “It’s impossible!“

Meloni, slightly surprised but amused by the unsolicited advice, laughed back and responded, “I know, I know. I don’t want to kill somebody.“

This viral footage was quickly dubbed the “most human moment“ of the high-stakes summit by many online users. Meloni has previously confirmed she resumed smoking after a 13-year break. The lighthearted moment came as Turkey continues to pursue strong tobacco control measures at home.

Key Focus: Ceasefire and Reconstruction

While the leaders shared a moment of informal diplomacy, the main agenda in Sharm el-Sheikh was the fragile peace in the Middle East.

• The Summit: Co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the meeting gathered over 20 world leaders to discuss regional stability and Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
• The Truce: The summit came after a breakthrough ceasefire deal led to a significant exchange: Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages in return for Israel freeing more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
• Post-War Plan: President Trump hailed the truce as a “turning point for peace“ as leaders focused on arranging a new surge of humanitarian aid—including food, water, and medical supplies—for Gaza, where the conflict left hundreds of thousands homeless.

If you’re interested, I can provide a more in-depth look at the specific humanitarian aid efforts agreed upon at the summit.