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Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the initial stage of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce framework is approaching conclusion, noting that the second phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli prime minister said he would discuss the future 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 phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent results in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to addressing with President Trump.”

German Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Stage two must start immediately 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) released warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not presently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have pulled back to a demarcation line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The order of these measures is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments 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 commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he asserted.

Potential Options and Political Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “discussion”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly against the creation of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu claimed the reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “damaging the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

A separate tribunal, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry concluded 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 moment.”