🔗 Share this article Initial Stage of Gaza Strip Truce Plan Almost Finished, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the primary phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities agreement is nearing completion, noting that the next phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Upcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli leader said he would discuss the following stages in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November. “We’re about to complete the initial phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the equivalent results in the next phase, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.” European Leader Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must begin now and then phase three must also be examined.” Merz is the first leader of a major European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court delivered warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his former 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 welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire During the first phase of the present ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in return 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. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was declared on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the identical period. Future Stages and Ambiguous Sequencing Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian committee to run daily governance of Gaza. The order of these actions is vague in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial 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 asserted. Possible Options and Political Positions Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states. ICC Charges and Judicial Proceedings Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able 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 means of shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. A separate court, the international court of justice, is reviewing charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found that Israel had committed genocide. Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the present time.”