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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the first stage of the United Nations-backed Gaza ceasefire plan is nearing finalization, noting that the subsequent stage must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming 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 plans were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing finish the first phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we secure the same outcomes in the next stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must begin now and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial leader of a significant European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) 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 invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not presently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

During the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical period.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The order of these actions is vague in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.

Potential Options and Political Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Legal Cases

Netanyahu stated the reason he would not be able make a return 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 misconduct, but recused himself from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found that Israel had carried out genocide.

Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the current juncture.”