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Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the primary stage of the internationally-supported Gaza truce proposal is close to finalization, noting that the second stage must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Upcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli premier said he would examine the future steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.

“We’re about to complete the first phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to guarantee that we attain the identical results in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Stage 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 delivered 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 in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Details of the Current Truce

During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The order of these actions is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.

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

Potential Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Cases

Netanyahu said 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 top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.

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

Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide.

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