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Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the first segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is nearing finalization, adding that the subsequent phase must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier stated he would discuss the future steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing finish the initial phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to make sure that we secure the equivalent outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to hold talks 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 alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the final 20 surviving Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have pulled back to a demarcation 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 over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) 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 daily administration of Gaza.

The order of these steps is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.

Potential Options and Political Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was strongly against the establishment 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 Warrants and Legal Cases

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

Netanyahu said Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission found that Israel had committed 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.”