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Benjamin Netanyahu has proclaimed that the first part of the United Nations-backed Gaza halt in hostilities plan is approaching finalization, noting that the subsequent phase must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli prime minister revealed he would talk about the future steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to finish the initial phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to make sure that we attain the same objectives in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to reviewing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Stage two must start immediately and then the third phase must also be examined.”

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

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have pulled back to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

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

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, set out a timetable extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run daily administration of Gaza.

The order of these measures is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped down from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “false charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is considering charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission 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 moment.”