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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the initial part of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities agreement is nearing finalization, noting that the subsequent phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

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

“We are close to finish the initial stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent objectives in the next stage, and that’s something I anticipate addressing with President Trump.”

European Leader Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Phase two must start immediately and then the third phase must also be considered.”

Merz is the first head of state of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) 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 in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not currently under consideration. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Current Truce

During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli captives 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. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, detailed a timetable extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising 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 remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s crucial to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he said.

Possible Alternatives and Political Stances

Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “discussion”, and stressed that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective 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 said the primary reason he would not be able to make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated 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 recused himself from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”.

Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is considering charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry 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.”