Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart tonight for Egypt to participate in the signing of a peace agreement for the Middle East, with the aim of bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza. The announcement was made public by his office on Sunday afternoon. Carney will be joined by global leaders like 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 diplomatic mission by Carney occurs as a truce between Israel and Hamas remains in place, preceding the anticipated release of Israeli captives and Palestinian detainees. As part of the ceasefire terms, Hamas is required to release the remaining hostages by noon on Monday, who were captured during a surprise assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that all 20 surviving hostages are expected to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and transported using six to eight vehicles. The freed hostages will either reunite with their families at a military base or be taken directly to a hospital if necessary. Following the hostage release, Israel is obligated to release around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages presumed deceased, with a planned ceremony to be held in Gaza by the military.
In parallel, preparations are underway on the borders of Gaza to increase the flow of aid into the conflict-affected region. The Israeli military unit handling humanitarian aid in Gaza has indicated that the volume of aid shipments entering the Palestinian territory is anticipated to rise to approximately 600 trucks daily, in accordance with the agreement. The United Nations has confirmed readiness with 170,000 tonnes of essential supplies, awaiting the green light from Israel to begin delivery.
Prime Minister Carney’s journey to Egypt marks his first visit to the Middle East since Canada officially recognized a Palestinian state last month. The decision, as communicated by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), was aimed at promoting a potential two-state solution and expressed concerns over actions by Hamas and Israel that could impede a negotiated settlement.
The PMO emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting a peaceful future for both Palestine and Israel. Carney had initially announced Canada’s recognition in July, with the condition that the Palestinian Authority, governing parts of the West Bank, fulfills specific obligations such as governance reforms, holding general elections in 2026 excluding Hamas participation, and demilitarizing the Palestinian state. Canada pledged to enhance its support for the Palestinian Authority in implementing these reforms, acknowledging progress made toward this agenda.
