First Stage of Gaza Strip Truce Framework Nearly Complete, Says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first part of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities framework is nearing conclusion, stating that the subsequent stage must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier said he would discuss the future steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We’re about to complete the initial phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to make sure that we attain the same outcomes in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.”

German Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “The second phase must begin now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not currently under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

Under the initial stage of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was declared on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, detailed a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to pull back further, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

The sequencing of these actions is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he said.

Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu raised the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Charges and Judicial Proceedings

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 refuted any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

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

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