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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the primary stage of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities agreement is nearing finalization, adding that the second stage must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli prime minister mentioned he would talk about the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing complete the first phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the identical outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”

German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Phase two must come now and then stage three must also be taken into account.”

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 ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently planned. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the first phase 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 transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the identical timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, specified a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to pull back further, and an international stabilization force is to be established under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders headed by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day governance of Gaza.

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

“I think it’s vital to make sure 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.

Possible Options and Political Positions

Netanyahu raised the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “discussion”, and stressed that Israel was strongly opposed 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 Charges and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the reputation of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”.

A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found that Israel had committed genocide.

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