🔗 Share this article Initial Stage of Gaza Truce Framework Nearly Complete, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the initial part of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities framework is nearing completion, noting that the next stage must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Upcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli premier stated he would address the future steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November. “We are nearing finish the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the identical results in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to addressing with President Trump.” German Leader Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was addressing the media at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Stage two must start immediately and then stage three must also be examined.” Merz is the first leader of a major European state to confer with 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 in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had said he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not presently planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “trumped-up charges” from a “biased prosecuting office”. Terms of the Current Truce Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the same timeframe. Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, specified a timetable extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to pull back further, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run daily administration of Gaza. The sequencing of these steps is not clear in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to make sure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he asserted. Possible Options and Political Stances Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was firmly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the vast majority of UN member states. ICC Charges and Judicial Cases Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped aside from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an investigation. Netanyahu asserted Khan was “destroying the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “compromised prosecutor”. A separate court, the international court of justice, is considering allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide. Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to discuss this at the current juncture.”