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Benjamin Netanyahu has proclaimed that the opening stage of the internationally-supported Gaza truce framework is close to conclusion, noting that the next stage must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier stated he would address the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing conclude the initial phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the identical results in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.”

German Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must begin now and then phase three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first head of state of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered arrest warrants 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 securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time planned. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire

During the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation 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 approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, specified a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected 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 administration of Gaza.

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

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

Possible Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was strongly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Charges and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described 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 stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission determined that Israel had committed genocide.

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