🔗 Share this article First Stage of Gaza Strip Ceasefire Framework Nearly Complete, States Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the initial stage of the UN-endorsed Gaza truce plan is approaching completion, adding that the second stage must involve the disarmament of Hamas. Upcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli premier stated he would discuss the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN security council decision on 17 November. “We’re about to complete the first stage,” Netanyahu remarked. “But we have to guarantee that we achieve the identical results in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.” German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu The prime minister was talking at a shared news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Stage two must come now and then the third phase must also be examined.” Merz is the first leader of a leading 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 ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not presently being considered. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “biased prosecutor”. Terms of the Ongoing Truce Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 surviving 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 killed during the war. Concurrently, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was put into effect 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 same timeframe. Next Steps and Unclear Sequencing Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a permanent peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be set up under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a technocratic Palestinian committee to run day-to-day governance of Gaza. The order of these actions is vague in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament. “I think it’s crucial to make sure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he asserted. Potential Alternatives and Political Positions Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not rule out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing 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 desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. ICC Charges and Legal Cases Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as manufactured by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means 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 conclusion of an investigation. Netanyahu remarked Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “false allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “compromised official”. A separate court, the international court of justice, is weighing up allegations that Israel has committed 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.”