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Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the initial phase of the United Nations-backed Gaza halt in hostilities plan is nearing completion, noting that the subsequent stage must require the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli prime minister mentioned he would talk about the next steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were codified in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to conclude the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the same results in the second stage, and that’s something I anticipate addressing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must begin now and then the third phase must also be examined.”

Merz is the initial head of state of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued 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 in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not presently planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Current Truce

Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli captives in return 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. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a truce 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 over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Ambiguous Sequencing

Not one of 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 meant to pull back further, 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 daily governance of Gaza.

The sequencing of these actions is unclear 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 demilitarise,” he asserted.

Potential Options and Diplomatic Stances

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

International Criminal Court Warrants 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 fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “false allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is weighing up allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission determined that Israel had carried out genocide.

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