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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the initial segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities framework is close to conclusion, noting that the second phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader said he would address the next steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We’re about to conclude the first phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the identical results in the second phase, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”

German Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “The second phase must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”

Merz is the initial leader of a leading 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 ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not currently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”.

Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire

During the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 military actions over the same period.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, set out a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

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

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

Potential Options and Political Stances

Netanyahu raised the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu said the primary 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 means of shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “damaging the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

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

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