🔗 Share this article Initial Stage of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Framework Almost Complete, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the first segment of the United Nations-backed Gaza ceasefire framework is close to completion, adding that the second phase must require the disarmament of Hamas. Forthcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli premier revealed he would examine the following stages in the coming weeks 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 initial phase,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to ensure that we attain the equivalent results in the second stage, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.” European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “The second phase must come now and then the third phase must also be taken into account.” Merz is the initial leader 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 alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”. Details of the Current Ceasefire Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed over 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe. Next Steps and Ambiguous Timeline Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, set out a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to pull back further, and an international stabilization force is to be set up 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 sequencing of these actions is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to ensure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated. Potential Alternatives and Diplomatic Positions Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “negotiation”, and stressed that Israel was firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Charges and Judicial Cases Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able 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 way of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu said Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “false charges of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised official”. A separate court, the international court of justice, is weighing up charges that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide. Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the current juncture.”