First Phase of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Framework Nearly Complete, Says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the initial stage of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire agreement is close to finalization, and added that the next stage must require the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli prime minister said he would talk about the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were formalized in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent results in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to reviewing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must start immediately and then the third phase must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the initial head of state of a major European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued warrants for arrest 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 stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

During the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 surviving Israeli captives 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. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 period.

Future Stages and Ambiguous Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, specified a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The timeline of these measures is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Options and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly against the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu claimed the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal 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 shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “compromised official”.

A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry determined that Israel had committed genocide.

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