🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Truce Framework Almost Complete, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has commented that the initial phase of the internationally-supported Gaza halt in hostilities plan is approaching completion, noting that the subsequent phase must involve the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli leader said he would address the following stages in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November. “We’re about to finish the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to guarantee that we attain the same outcomes in the second stage, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.” European Leader Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was speaking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “The second phase must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.” Merz is the first head of state of a significant European state to hold talks with 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 in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Details of the Ongoing Truce During the first phase of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli captives in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have pulled back to a demarcation line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe. Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing Not one of Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, set out a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, supervising a administrative Palestinian committee to run daily administration of Gaza. The order of these actions is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed 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 asserted. Possible Alternatives and Political Stances Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals 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 make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as fabricated by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu remarked Khan was “destroying the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. A separate court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded 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 moment.”