🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Plan Nearly Finished, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the first segment of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce framework is nearing finalization, adding that the next phase must entail the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli prime minister stated he would address the next steps later this month 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 first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to make sure that we attain the identical results in the second stage, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.” German Leader Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must begin now and then the third phase must also be considered.” Merz is the first head of state of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) released 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 winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “trumped-up charges” from a “biased prosecuting office”. Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas released the final 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was declared on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same period. Next Steps and Unclear Timeline Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent 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 administrative Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza. The order of these measures is ambiguous in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he said. Possible Options and Diplomatic Stances Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. ICC Warrants and Legal Proceedings Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May pending the outcome of an inquiry. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”. Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is considering allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission found 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 current juncture.”