First Stage of Gaza Ceasefire Plan Almost Complete, States Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the initial segment of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce framework is close to finalization, stating that the subsequent phase must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.
Forthcoming Talks in Washington
The Israeli premier said he would talk about the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.
“We are nearing conclude the first phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the identical outcomes in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”
European Leader Meets with Netanyahu
The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”
Merz is the first head of state of a significant European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for 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 being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “trumped-up charges” from a “biased prosecutor”.
Terms of the Ongoing Truce
During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 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. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the same period.
Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing
Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to pull back further, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily governance of Gaza.
The sequencing of these steps is unclear 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 adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated.
Possible Options and Diplomatic Positions
Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “discussion”, and emphasized that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.
ICC Charges and Legal Cases
Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as invented by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.
Netanyahu remarked Khan was “destroying the reputation of the ICC” with “false charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.
A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide.
Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the moment.”
