🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Plan Almost Complete, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has remarked that the opening phase of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire framework is nearing completion, and added that the subsequent stage must involve the demilitarization of Hamas. Upcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli prime minister stated he would discuss the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November. “We are nearing complete the initial stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we attain the same objectives in the second phase, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.” German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was talking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must start immediately and then phase three must also be considered.” Merz is the initial head of state of a significant European state to hold talks 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 securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not presently being considered. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”. Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire Under the first phase of the present ceasefire deal, Hamas released the remaining 20 living 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. Concurrently, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical period. Future Stages and Ambiguous Timeline Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian committee to run daily governance of Gaza. The sequencing of these steps is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he said. Possible Options and Diplomatic Positions Netanyahu mentioned 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 “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was strongly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states. ICC Charges and Legal Proceedings Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and genocide” from a “compromised official”. A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had carried out genocide. Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the present time.”