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Benjamin Netanyahu has remarked that the primary segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire framework is approaching completion, adding that the second phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

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

“We’re about to conclude the initial phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent objectives in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must begin now and then the third phase must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial leader of a significant European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court delivered arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the first phase of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 surviving Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, detailed a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run daily administration of Gaza.

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

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

Possible Alternatives and Political Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “discussion”, and stressed that Israel was strongly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu stated the reason he would not be able 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 way of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”.

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

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