Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to depart this evening for Egypt to participate in the signing of a peace agreement for the Middle East, with the aim of resolving the conflict in Gaza. The announcement was made in a news release from his office on Sunday afternoon. Carney will join other global leaders at the summit, including U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed their attendance the day before. The event is set to take place on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Carney’s trip coincides with a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that remains intact, preceding the anticipated release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. According to the ceasefire terms, Hamas is expected 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 mentioned that all 20 living hostages are anticipated to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and transported in six to eight vehicles. The hostages will then be transported either to a military base to reunite with their families or directly to a hospital if necessary.
Following the release of the hostages, Israel is slated to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages believed to be deceased. A ceremony is planned by the military in Gaza to honor the deceased hostages, as stated by Bedrosian.
In parallel, preparations are underway at Gaza’s borders to escalate the delivery of aid to the war-torn region. The Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza stated that aid shipments into the Palestinian territory are expected to increase to around 600 trucks per day on Sunday, in line with the agreement. The United Nations has confirmed its readiness to deliver about 170,000 tonnes of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid as soon as Israel grants approval.
Prime Minister Carney’s upcoming trip to Egypt marks his first visit to the Middle East since officially recognizing a Palestinian state last month. The decision was made to support the potential for a two-state solution and amid concerns expressed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) regarding actions by Hamas and Israel that could hinder a negotiated settlement. Canada pledged its partnership in fostering a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.
Carney initially announced Canada’s recognition of Palestine in July, contingent upon certain commitments from the Palestinian authority, including governance reforms, holding general elections in 2026 excluding Hamas, and demilitarizing the Palestinian state. The PMO stated that Canada will enhance its support to assist the Palestinian Authority in implementing these reforms, acknowledging progress made thus far.