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Benjamin Netanyahu has observed that the first segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza halt in hostilities proposal is approaching conclusion, noting that the subsequent stage must include the demilitarization of Hamas.

Forthcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli leader stated he would discuss the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.

“We are nearing finish the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we secure the equivalent objectives in the second stage, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Visits Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “Stage two must start immediately and then stage three must also be considered.”

Merz is the first head of state of a leading 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 alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but said on Sunday a trip was not currently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire

Under the initial stage of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the last 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 bodies of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an approximate 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas military actions over the same timeframe.

Future Stages and Unclear Timeline

Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, detailed a timetable extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is required to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw farther, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the control of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.

The timeline of these steps is vague in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.

“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment which they agreed to to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he stated.

Possible Options and Diplomatic Stances

Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, labeling it as a topic of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was strongly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, the goal of the peace process desired by most European and Arab governments as well as the vast majority of UN member states.

ICC Charges and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal 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 shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.

Netanyahu remarked Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “false allegations of starvation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.

Another tribunal, the international court of justice, is reviewing allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent commission of inquiry found that Israel had committed genocide.

Asked about the possibility of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to consider this at the present time.”