Initial Phase of Gaza Strip Truce Plan Nearly Complete, States Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the first part of the United Nations-backed Gaza halt in hostilities agreement is nearing finalization, and added that the subsequent phase must include the demilitarization of Hamas.
Upcoming Talks in Washington
The Israeli premier mentioned he would discuss the next steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.
“We are nearing complete the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we achieve the same objectives in the next phase, and that’s something I anticipate reviewing with President Trump.”
European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu
The prime minister was addressing the media at a joint news conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must start immediately and then phase three must also be considered.”
Merz is the first leader of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) released arrest warrants 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 said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not currently planned. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “baseless charges” from a “biased prosecuting office”.
Details of the Current Ceasefire
Under the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages in return 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. Concurrently, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, resulting in them in occupation of 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Following the ceasefire was put into effect on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been fatally wounded in Hamas military actions over the identical period.
Next Steps and Unclear Timeline
Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN security council resolution 2803 which mostly endorsed them, detailed a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is supposed to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run daily administration of Gaza.
The sequencing of these actions is unclear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his statements on Sunday, Netanyahu focused on Hamas disarmament.
“I think it’s crucial 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 said.
Potential Options and Political Positions
Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not exclude Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “negotiation”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the creation 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.
International Criminal Court Warrants and Judicial Cases
Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as invented by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of shifting focus from allegations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any misconduct, but recused himself from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.
Netanyahu remarked Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “trumped-up allegations of deprivation and 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 autonomous investigative commission determined that Israel had committed genocide.
Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to discuss this at the present time.”