Carney, Poilievre among world leaders hailing Trump-brokered Gaza ceasefire

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined world leaders on Monday in welcoming the release of hostages under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney joined world leaders on Monday in welcoming the release of hostages under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the development as a “fragile light of what might still be repaired” after more than two years of war.

The ceasefire, negotiated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, has led to the release of 20 Israeli hostages and the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian detainees. It marks the first phase of a multi-step plan aimed at ending the conflict and establishing transitional governance in Gaza.

Carney, attending the Summit for Peace in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, said the release of hostages was “a moment of profound relief.” He called it a turning point toward “a lasting peace,” urging both sides to uphold their commitments and ensure that humanitarian aid continues to flow freely into Gaza.

“For the Jewish people, this is a moment that holds two truths at once – a grief for what cannot be restored, and a fragile light of what might still be repaired,” Carney said in a statement. “We call on all parties to continue implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including maintaining the withdrawal of Israeli troops and allowing sustained humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who was tasked with rekindling relations with India while Carney was in Egypt, echoed the prime minister’s remarks.

“The return of hostages is part of the first phase of the peace agreement developed by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye,” Anand said. “Canada will continue to encourage all parties to take the necessary steps towards a lasting peace, as outlined in the U.S. plan. Hamas must never play a role in the future governance of Gaza. It must lay down its arms immediately. Israel must continue to withdraw its troops to behind the agreed-upon lines.”

Anand said Canada will keep supporting humanitarian assistance “at scale” in Gaza, noting that since October 2023, Canada has committed roughly $400 million in development and aid funding for Palestine.

The ceasefire is part of President Donald Trump’s peace framework, which envisions the disarmament of Hamas, the creation of a transitional Palestinian government in Gaza, and eventual talks toward a two-state solution.

Trump, who chaired the summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, praised the breakthrough as “the beginning of a lasting peace.” He said the next steps will involve international coordination on security and reconstruction, including a proposed UN-endorsed peacekeeping force and a 15-member Palestinian technocratic council to govern Gaza during the transition period.

The World Bank estimates rebuilding Gaza will cost roughly $53 billion, with Egypt planning to host a donor conference.

In Canada, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre praised the peace deal and the release of hostages while expressing condolences for those killed in captivity.

“Two years after Hamas’ sadistic attack on innocent Israelis, the families of twenty hostages are finally able to hug their loved ones,” Poilievre said. “We thank President Trump for his leadership negotiating a peaceful closure to this war and hope that it serves to bring lasting, generational peace.”

Poilievre called the October 7, 2023, attacks “the darkest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” and urged the international community to ensure that “Hamas-launched bloodshed finally ends.”

Neither Hamas nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the summit, which took place on a Jewish holiday. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrived Monday afternoon to take part in the talks.