First Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Framework Almost Finished, Says Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the opening segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire agreement is close to finalization, stating that the subsequent stage must entail the demilitarization of Hamas.
Upcoming Discussions in Washington
The Israeli leader mentioned he would talk about the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were formalized in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November.
“We are nearing finish the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the same outcomes in the second phase, and that’s something I anticipate discussing with President Trump.”
German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu
The prime minister was talking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Phase two must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”
Merz is the initial leader of a leading European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not currently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up charges” from a “biased prosecutor”.
Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire
During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Following the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe.
Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing
Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.
The timeline of these actions is ambiguous in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.
“I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.
Potential Options and Political Stances
Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “other options” 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 “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly opposed the creation 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.
International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Proceedings
Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able to 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 accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.
Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”.
A separate tribunal, the international court of justice, is considering 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 possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”