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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the opening segment of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities framework is close to finalization, and added that the next phase must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader revealed he would discuss the next steps later this month 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 first phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the same outcomes in the second phase, and that’s something I anticipate addressing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor 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 the third phase must also be considered.”

Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Current Ceasefire

Under the initial stage of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was announced 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 timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, set out a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run daily governance of Gaza.

The timeline of these actions is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he asserted.

Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective 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 Cases

Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as manufactured by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the conclusion of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry determined that Israel had carried out genocide.

Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the present time.”