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Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the primary phase of the United Nations-backed Gaza halt in hostilities proposal is approaching conclusion, adding that the second stage must include the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader stated he would examine the subsequent actions in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were formalized in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November.

“We are close to complete the initial stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to ensure that we secure the equivalent objectives in the second stage, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.”

European Leader Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the initial leader of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court released warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for 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 notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not at this time under consideration. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

During the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe.

Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing

Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The sequencing of these measures 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 important to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he stated.

Possible Alternatives and Political Stances

Netanyahu raised the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was strongly against the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process desired by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.

ICC Warrants and Judicial Proceedings

Netanyahu stated the reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described 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 denied any misconduct, but recused himself from his role in May pending the conclusion of an investigation.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry determined that Israel had committed genocide.

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