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Benjamin Netanyahu has noted that the opening phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza truce agreement is nearing finalization, adding that the second stage must involve the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Talks in Washington

The Israeli prime minister said he would talk about the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing conclude the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we attain the same outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was speaking at a joint press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must come now and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the first leader of a significant European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court released 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 in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “trumped-up charges” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Truce

Under the initial stage of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli captives in return 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the identical timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, set out a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

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

“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated.

Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “negotiation”, and emphasized that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments 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 to make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the conclusion of an inquiry.

Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.

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

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