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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first segment of the internationally-supported Gaza truce framework is close to completion, stating that the second phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli prime minister mentioned he would talk about the future steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We’re about to conclude the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to make sure that we attain the identical objectives in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”

German Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must begin now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first head of state of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) released arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a trip was not at this time planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving 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 killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was announced 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 fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe.

Future Stages and Ambiguous Timeline

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The order of these actions is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

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

Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly against 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 Charges and Legal Cases

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 way of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is weighing up allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed 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.”