Calling US President Donald Trump’s new Middle East peace plan “historic”, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the move and reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting the “large-scale” delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.
"Canada welcomes President Trump's historic new Middle East peace plan, and we urge all parties to help it realise its full potential. As the critical next step, Hamas must immediately release all hostages. Canada stands ready to support the sustained, unimpeded, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza," PM Carney posted on X.
"We will continue our close coordination with international partners to build a just and lasting peace that builds on today's progress, with a sovereign, democratic, and viable State of Palestine building its future in peace and security with the State of Israel," he added.
The White House released the plan following a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aiming to end the two-year-old conflict in Gaza. The plan envisions Gaza as a deradicalised, terror-free zone that poses no threat to neighbouring states and will be redeveloped for the benefit of its people, who have endured prolonged suffering.
According to the peace plan, if both sides accept the proposal, the war would end immediately. Israeli forces would withdraw to the agreed-upon lines in preparation for the release of hostages. During this period, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardments, would be suspended, and battle lines frozen until conditions are met for a staged complete withdrawal. The plan further stipulates that within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement, all hostages, alive or deceased, would be returned.
Once hostages are released, Israel will free 250 prisoners serving life sentences, along with 1,700 Gazans detained after 7 October 2023, including all women and children. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are returned, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
The plan also includes that Hamas members committed to peaceful coexistence and disarmament will receive amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza will be granted safe passage to other countries.
Immediate humanitarian aid will be delivered to the Gaza Strip upon acceptance of the agreement, at a minimum consistent with the January 19, 2025, humanitarian aid arrangement. This includes rebuilding infrastructure such as water, electricity, sewage systems, hospitals, and bakeries, as well as clearing rubble and reopening roads.
Aid and distribution within Gaza will proceed without interference from either party, coordinated through the United Nations, Red Crescent, and other international organisations not affiliated with the parties. The Rafah crossing will operate in both directions under the same mechanism outlined in the January 2025 agreement.
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