🔗 Share this article Initial Stage of Gaza Truce Framework Nearly Finished, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has proclaimed that the opening segment of the internationally-supported Gaza ceasefire agreement is nearing completion, stating that the subsequent phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas. Forthcoming Talks in Washington The Israeli premier mentioned he would address the following stages in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November. “We are nearing complete the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to guarantee that we secure the identical results in the second phase, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.” German Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was talking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “The second phase must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.” Merz is the initial leader of a leading European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants 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 securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany notwithstanding the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not at this time being considered. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Details of the Current Ceasefire During the initial stage of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 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 who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, leaving them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas attacks over the identical timeframe. Future Stages and Unclear Timeline Not one of Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely supported them, specified a schedule extending the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be created under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, supervising a technocratic Palestinian council to run daily governance of Gaza. The order of these measures is ambiguous in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s important to ensure that Hamas adheres not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he stated. Possible Alternatives and Diplomatic Stances Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without clarifying what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “debate”, and emphasized that Israel was adamantly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the objective of the peace process supported by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states. International Criminal Court Warrants and Judicial Proceedings Netanyahu stated the reason he would not be able to 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 means of diverting attention from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry. Netanyahu said Khan was “damaging the reputation of the ICC” with “false allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”. Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considering allegations that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide. Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the moment.”