Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart tonight for Egypt to participate in the signing of a peace plan for the Middle East aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza. His office released a statement on Sunday afternoon announcing his trip. Carney will join other global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed their attendance a day earlier. The summit is scheduled for Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
This initiative comes as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in effect, with the anticipated release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. According to the ceasefire terms, Hamas is required to release the remaining hostages, who were captured on October 7, 2023, during a surprise attack on Israel by the group’s militants. Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that all 20 living hostages are expected to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and transported in six to eight vehicles. Subsequently, the hostages will be reunited with their families or taken to a hospital if necessary.
Following the release of the hostages, Israel is set to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages believed to have died. A ceremony is planned by the military in Gaza to honor the deceased hostages. Meanwhile, preparations are underway on Gaza’s borders to increase the flow of aid into the conflict-affected region. The Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza revealed that aid deliveries are projected to rise to around 600 trucks per day as outlined in the agreement. The United Nations has confirmed readiness with 170,000 tonnes of food, medicine, and other essential aid pending approval from Israel.
Prime Minister Carney’s trip to Egypt marks his first visit to the Middle East since Canada officially acknowledged the state of Palestine last month. The decision was made to uphold the possibility of a two-state solution, as expressed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a previous statement. The PMO expressed concerns about actions from Hamas and Israel jeopardizing the prospects for a negotiated settlement. Canada extended its support for fostering a peaceful future for both Palestine and Israel.
Carney initially announced Canada’s recognition in July, emphasizing that it was contingent on commitments from the Palestinian authority, including governance reforms, upcoming general elections in 2026 excluding Hamas, and the demilitarization of the Palestinian state. The PMO affirmed its commitment to enhancing support for the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda progress.