🔗 Share this article Initial Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Framework Almost Complete, Says Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the primary part of the United Nations-backed Gaza ceasefire framework is approaching completion, noting that the subsequent stage must include the disarmament of Hamas. Forthcoming Discussions in Washington The Israeli leader said he would discuss the future steps in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza initiatives were outlined in a UN Security Council decision on 17 November. “We’re about to finish the initial stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to ensure that we secure the equivalent results in the second phase, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.” German Leader Meets with Netanyahu The prime minister was talking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “Stage two must start immediately and then phase three must also be considered.” Merz is the first head of state of a leading European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court delivered warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not at this time planned. Netanyahu rejects the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “corrupt prosecutor”. Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire Under the first phase of the existing ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has transferred all but one of 28 bodies of hostages killed during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, leaving them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip. Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed over 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 lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza. The order of these measures is ambiguous 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 ensure 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 raised the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a subject of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states. ICC Charges and Legal Proceedings Netanyahu said the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he characterized as fabricated by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from accusations 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 remarked Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “corrupt official”. A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had carried out genocide. Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”