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Benjamin Netanyahu has remarked that the opening segment of the internationally-supported Gaza truce framework is nearing conclusion, stating that the subsequent stage must entail the disarmament of Hamas.

Upcoming Discussions in Washington

The Israeli premier revealed he would discuss the next steps in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were formalized in a UN Security Council resolution on 17 November.

“We are close to conclude the initial stage,” Netanyahu stated. “But we have to make sure that we secure the equivalent outcomes in the next stage, and that’s something I am eager to discussing with President Trump.”

European Chancellor Meets with Netanyahu

The prime minister was talking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who stated: “The second phase must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”

Merz is the initial leader of a major European state to hold talks with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered 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 allegations in Gaza.

After securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had said he would invite Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a visit was not at this time planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “trumped-up allegations” from a “corrupt prosecuting office”.

Terms of the Current Truce

Under the initial stage of the existing ceasefire deal, Hamas released the final 20 surviving 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 At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a truce line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.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 killed in Hamas military actions over the same period.

Future Stages and Unclear Sequencing

Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, detailed a timetable extending the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are meant to withdraw farther, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be established under the control of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian committee to run daily governance of Gaza.

The order of these actions is not clear in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.

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

Potential Alternatives and Political Stances

Netanyahu raised 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 “discussion”, and reiterated that Israel was firmly opposed 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 Warrants and Judicial Cases

Netanyahu stated the primary reason he would not be able make a return visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as fabricated by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a way of shifting focus from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, but recused himself from his role in May pending the outcome of an investigation.

Netanyahu said Khan was “damaging the credibility of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of starvation and genocide” from a “compromised official”.

A separate tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN independent investigative commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide.

Questioned about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the current juncture.”