🔗 Share this article First Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Framework Almost Complete, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the primary phase of the United Nations-backed Gaza truce framework is approaching completion, stating that the next phase must require the demilitarization of Hamas. Upcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli premier mentioned he would examine the following stages later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were formalized in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November. “We’re about to complete the first phase,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we achieve the same objectives in the second stage, and that’s something I am eager to discussing 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 stated: “Stage two must come now and then stage three must also be taken into account.” Merz is the initial head of state of a leading European state to confer 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 alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza. After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a visit was not presently under consideration. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Details of the Current Ceasefire Under the first phase of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has transferred 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 Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 been responsible for the deaths of over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe. Future Stages and Unclear Timeline Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, set out a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza. The timeline of these steps is ambiguous in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to make sure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he stated. Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions Netanyahu raised 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 “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court 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 invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry. Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”. A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry 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.”