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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza truce proposal is nearing finalization, stating that the second stage must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli leader stated he would talk about the subsequent actions later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to complete the first phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the same results in the second phase, and that’s something I anticipate discussing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

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

Merz is the initial leader of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered 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 indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire

During the initial stage of the present ceasefire deal, Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical period.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, set out a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian committee to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

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

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

Potential Options and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “negotiation”, and emphasized that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Charges 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 characterized as fabricated by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “false charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the present time.”