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Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the first phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire framework is close to finalization, noting that the subsequent stage must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier stated he would talk about the future 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’re about to complete the initial phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we secure the equivalent objectives in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Stage two must come now and then stage three must also be examined.”

Merz is the first leader of a significant European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered 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 invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not currently under consideration. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the first phase of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the final 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 killed 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 put into effect 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 Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, detailed a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

The order of these steps is unclear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s crucial to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated.

Potential Alternatives and Political Stances

Netanyahu raised the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “negotiation”, and reiterated that Israel was firmly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Legal Cases

Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

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

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 concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the moment.”