🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Plan Almost Finished, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the first stage of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities proposal is nearing finalization, and added that the second phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Upcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli prime minister said he would talk about 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 complete the first phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we secure the identical results in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.” European Leader Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was speaking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must start immediately and then the third phase must also be taken into account.” Merz is the initial head of state of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued 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 in Gaza. After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not currently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”. Terms of the Current Ceasefire Under the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange 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. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe. Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza. The order of these measures is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to make sure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he asserted. Possible Alternatives and Political Positions Netanyahu raised the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “discussion”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Cases 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 invented by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means 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 outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Another court, the international court of justice, is weighing up charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry determined that Israel had committed genocide. Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the moment.”