🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Plan Nearly Complete, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the opening phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities framework is approaching conclusion, noting that the next stage must require the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli prime minister stated he would address the next steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November. “We are close to conclude the first phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the equivalent results in the next phase, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.” German Leader Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was speaking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must come now and then the third phase must also be taken into account.” Merz is the initial head of state of a significant European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants 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 winning federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not currently being considered. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”. Details of the Current Truce Under the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in return 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 pulled back to a truce line, resulting in them in control 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 identical timeframe. Next Steps and Unclear Timeline Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day governance of Gaza. The order of these steps is ambiguous in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s important to ensure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he stated. Potential Options and Diplomatic Stances Netanyahu raised the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Proceedings Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu remarked Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”. A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry 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 current juncture.”