First Phase of Gaza Truce Framework Nearly Finished, Says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the initial segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire framework is close to conclusion, stating that the second stage must require the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier mentioned he would examine the following stages in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We’re about to conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the same outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to reviewing with President Trump.”

German Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must come now and then the third phase must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial leader of a major European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently planned. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the same period.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, detailed a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily governance of Gaza.

The sequencing of these steps is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he asserted.

Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu claimed the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as invented by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry determined that Israel had committed genocide.

Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the present time.”