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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the primary phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities proposal is close to conclusion, stating that the second stage must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader said he would examine the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to finish the first phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the identical results in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial leader of a leading European state to meet 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 indicated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not currently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Details of the Ongoing Truce

Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since 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 timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, detailed a timetable transitioning 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 “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The sequencing of these steps is not clear in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Options and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective 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 Judicial Cases

Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able to make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus 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 reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

A separate court, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

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