Initial Stage of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Plan Nearly Finished, States Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the primary segment of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce proposal is close to finalization, adding that the next stage must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader mentioned he would discuss the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were formalized in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We are nearing complete the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the same objectives in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must begin now and then the third phase must also be examined.”

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 in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not at this time under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Truce

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving 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 killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 military actions over the identical period.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

The sequencing of these measures is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

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

Potential Alternatives and Political Positions

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Warrants and Legal Cases

Netanyahu stated the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal 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 stepped down from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

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

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