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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the initial phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is nearing finalization, noting that the second phase must require the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli prime minister said he would talk about the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to complete the first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the same results in the next stage, and that’s something I anticipate discussing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must begin now and then the third phase must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first head of state of a significant European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not currently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas released the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since 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 military actions over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a schedule extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run daily administration of Gaza.

The timeline of these measures is vague 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 make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated.

Possible Options and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was firmly against the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as manufactured 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 pending the conclusion of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the reputation of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

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

Questioned about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”