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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the initial part of the internationally-supported Gaza truce framework is approaching finalization, stating that the second phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader revealed he would address the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to complete the first stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the same objectives in the next phase, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must come now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first leader 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 allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Ceasefire

During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since 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 military actions over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, 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 day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The timeline of these actions is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu claimed 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 top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

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

Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to discuss this at the moment.”