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 goal of resolving the conflict in Gaza, as per an official statement from his office on Sunday. Alongside leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed their attendance a day prior, Carney will convene for the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday.
This trip coincides with a current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with expectations for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. According to the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas is required to release the remaining hostages, captured during the surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, by noon on Monday.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that all 20 living hostages are anticipated to be released simultaneously to the Red Cross and transported in several vehicles. The hostages will then be reunited with their families or taken to a hospital if necessary. Subsequently, Israel plans to release around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages believed to be deceased, with a ceremony scheduled in Gaza.
Preparations are underway at Gaza’s borders to escalate aid deliveries to the war-torn region. The Israeli military overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza has announced a planned increase to approximately 600 trucks per day entering the territory in accordance with the agreement. The United Nations has stockpiled 170,000 tonnes of essential supplies, awaiting approval from Israel to commence aid distribution.
Prime Minister Carney’s journey to Egypt marks his inaugural visit to the Middle East since Canada’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state was declared last month. The decision was motivated by the aim of upholding the potential for a two-state resolution, expressing concerns over actions by Hamas and Israel hindering diplomatic progress.
Canada’s recognition of Palestine was contingent on specific commitments from the Palestinian authority, including governance reforms, upcoming general elections in 2026 excluding Hamas, and demilitarization of the state. Canada pledged to support the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda, with progress already underway.