🔗 Share this article First Phase of Gaza Truce Framework Nearly Finished, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has remarked that the initial segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is nearing completion, adding that the second phase must entail the disarmament of Hamas. Upcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli premier revealed he would address the next steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November. “We are nearing conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the equivalent results in the next 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 media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Phase two must come now and then the third phase must also be taken into account.” Merz is the first head of state of a significant 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 stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not presently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “biased prosecutor”. Details of the Ongoing Truce During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Since the ceasefire was declared on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the identical period. Future Stages and Ambiguous Timeline Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, detailed a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily governance of Gaza. The sequencing of these actions is not clear in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s vital to make sure 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. Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Warrants and Judicial Cases Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal 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 awaiting the outcome of an inquiry. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of deprivation and genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”. Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is considering charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry 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 present time.”