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Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the initial part of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce framework is nearing conclusion, stating that the next phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier stated he would examine the subsequent actions 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 nearing conclude the first phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the identical objectives in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”

European Leader Visits Netanyahu

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

Merz is the initial leader of a leading European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court released warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his former 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 welcome Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently under consideration. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, detailed a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

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

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

Possible Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was firmly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described 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 wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and genocide” from a “compromised official”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is weighing up allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide.

Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the current juncture.”