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Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the opening stage of the United Nations-backed Gaza halt in hostilities plan is approaching conclusion, adding that the subsequent stage must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier mentioned he would address the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to complete the first stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the equivalent outcomes in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.”

European Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must come now and then phase 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 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 invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a trip was not at this time planned. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

During the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, leaving them in control 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 fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the identical period.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, detailed a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

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

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

Possible Alternatives and Political Positions

Netanyahu raised the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu stated 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 top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the conclusion of an investigation.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found that Israel had carried out genocide.

Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”