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Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the initial segment of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire proposal is approaching conclusion, and added that the second phase must entail the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier mentioned he would discuss the following stages in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were outlined in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November.

“We’re about to conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we attain the same objectives in the next stage, 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 press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must begin now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

Merz is the initial head of state of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court released arrest warrants 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 said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not at this time planned. 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 freed the final 20 living 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 who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to pull back further, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The sequencing of these steps is unclear in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions

Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “negotiation”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired 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 reason he would not be able to make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission found that Israel had committed genocide.

Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the present time.”