🔗 Share this article First Stage of Gaza Truce Plan Almost Finished, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the primary part of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities framework is close to finalization, noting that the second phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli leader said he would address the next steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were formalized in a UN security council resolution on 17 November. “We’re about to complete the initial phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the identical objectives in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.” European Leader Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must begin now and then the third phase must also be taken into account.” Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not presently under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”. Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a ceasefire line, leaving them in control 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 approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the identical period. Future Stages and Ambiguous Sequencing Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza. The sequencing of these measures is unclear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to make sure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated. Potential Alternatives and Political Stances Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Warrants and Legal Cases Netanyahu claimed the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry. Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry determined that Israel had committed genocide. Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the present time.”