Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart tonight for Egypt to participate in the signing ceremony of a peace agreement for the Middle East, with the aim of resolving the conflict in Gaza. The announcement was made in a press release issued by his office on Sunday. Carney will be joining other global leaders, such as U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed their attendance a day earlier. The summit is scheduled to take place on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Carney’s visit coincides with a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that is currently holding, pending the anticipated release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is required to release the remaining hostages, who were captured on October 7, 2023, by noon on Monday as per the ceasefire terms. Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that all 20 living hostages are expected to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and transported in multiple vehicles for reunification with their families or immediate medical attention if necessary.
Following the release of the hostages, Israel is obligated to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages presumed to be deceased. A ceremony is planned by the military to honor the deceased hostages in Gaza. Concurrently, preparations are underway on the borders of Gaza to increase the inflow of aid into the conflict-affected region. The Israeli military unit responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza anticipates a rise in aid deliveries to about 600 trucks per day, as specified in the agreement. The United Nations has confirmed readiness to provide around 170,000 tonnes of essential supplies, including food and medicine, pending Israel’s approval.
This journey to Egypt marks Carney’s first visit to the Middle East since Canada officially recognized the state of Palestine, a decision announced last month. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) emphasized that this recognition was intended to uphold the potential for a two-state solution, expressing concerns over actions by Hamas and Israel that could hinder a negotiated settlement. Canada has extended its support to both Palestine and Israel in fostering a peaceful future through partnership.
Carney initially declared Canada’s recognition of Palestine in July, contingent upon specific commitments from the Palestinian authority governing parts of the West Bank. These commitments involve governance reforms, upcoming general elections in 2026 excluding Hamas, and the demilitarization of the Palestinian state. The PMO affirmed Canada’s commitment to intensify support for the Palestinian Authority in implementing this reform agenda, acknowledging progress already achieved.
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