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Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the opening part of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire framework is close to finalization, adding that the second stage must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli prime minister revealed 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 close to complete the initial phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the same outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I anticipate addressing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Stage two must come now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court delivered warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- 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 said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a trip was not currently planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Ongoing Truce

During the first phase of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas released the remaining 20 living 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. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, set out a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant 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, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily governance of Gaza.

The order of these measures is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Alternatives and Political Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “negotiation”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly 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.

ICC Charges and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able to make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described 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 wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

A separate court, the international court of justice, is considering charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

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