🔗 Share this article First Phase of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Framework Nearly Finished, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the opening phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire framework is nearing completion, stating that the second phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli premier stated he would address the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November. “We’re about to complete the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we attain the same outcomes in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.” European Chancellor Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must begin now and then phase three must also be considered.” Merz is the first head of state of a significant European state to meet 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 allegations in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not at this time under consideration. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”. Terms of the Current Ceasefire Under the initial stage of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following 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 fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the identical period. Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, specified a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian committee to run daily administration of Gaza. The order of these steps is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said. Potential Options and Diplomatic Stances Netanyahu raised the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “discussion”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Cases Netanyahu said 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 refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an investigation. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “false charges of deprivation and genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”. Another court, the international court of justice, is weighing up allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide. Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”