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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the opening phase of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire framework is close to conclusion, adding that the subsequent phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli prime minister stated he would talk about the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are nearing conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent results in the next phase, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “The second phase must begin now and then phase three must also be examined.”

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

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners 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 ceasefire line, resulting in 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 over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established 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 sequencing of these actions is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

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

Potential Options and Political Stances

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” 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 “negotiation”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Legal Cases

Netanyahu stated the primary 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 wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”.

Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded 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.”