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Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the first stage of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities framework is nearing conclusion, and added that the subsequent phase must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli premier mentioned he would address the next steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to conclude the initial phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the same objectives in the second phase, and that’s something I look forward to reviewing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “The second phase must come now and then the third phase must also be considered.”

Merz is the first head of state of a significant European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered 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 winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Truce

Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the identical period.

Future Stages and Ambiguous Sequencing

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, set out a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily administration of Gaza.

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

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

Possible Options and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation 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 Warrants and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way 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 outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

A separate tribunal, the international court of justice, is reviewing charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

Questioned about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the present time.”