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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first part of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities plan is nearing finalization, and added that the subsequent stage must require the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier mentioned he would address the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing finish the initial phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we secure the identical outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must start immediately and then phase three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first leader of a significant European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his former 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 invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the first phase of the present ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was declared 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 attacks over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run daily administration of Gaza.

The order of these measures is vague in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s important to make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.

Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “negotiation”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly against the establishment 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.

International Criminal Court Charges and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu claimed 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 way of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

A separate court, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry found 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.”