First Stage of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Plan Nearly Complete, Says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first stage of the internationally-supported Gaza truce agreement is nearing conclusion, noting that the second phase must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier revealed he would talk about the following stages in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to conclude the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we attain the same objectives in the second phase, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

German Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”

Merz is the initial head of state of a significant European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court 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 allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

Under the first phase of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same period.

Next Steps and Ambiguous Sequencing

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 expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian committee to run daily governance of Gaza.

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

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

Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “discussion”, and stressed that Israel was adamantly against the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able to make a return 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 shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is weighing up charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found 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 present time.”