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Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the opening phase of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce agreement is nearing completion, stating that the subsequent phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli premier stated he would address the following stages in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We’re about to finish the first stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we attain the same results in the next phase, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Phase two must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial head of state of a leading European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) 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 securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a visit was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Details of the Ongoing Truce

During the initial stage of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas freed 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 bodies of hostages who died during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, set out a schedule extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

The timeline of these actions is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

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

Possible Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu brought up the prospects of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “false charges of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

Another court, the international court of justice, is considering allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide.

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