First Phase of Gaza Truce Framework Almost Complete, Says Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu has proclaimed that the opening stage of the internationally-supported Gaza truce framework is nearing conclusion, adding that the subsequent stage must include the disarmament of Hamas.
Forthcoming Talks in Washington
The Israeli premier revealed he would talk about the subsequent actions in the coming weeks in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council decision on 17 November.
“We’re about to finish the first phase,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to guarantee that we attain the identical results in the next phase, and that’s something I look forward to discussing with President Trump.”
German Chancellor Visits Netanyahu
The prime minister was talking at a joint media briefing with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who commented: “Phase two must begin now and then phase three must also be taken into account.”
Merz is the initial head of state of a major European state to meet Netanyahu in Israel since the international criminal court 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 securing victory in federal elections in February, Merz had indicated he would invite Netanyahu to Germany regardless of the ICC warrants, but noted on Sunday a trip was not presently planned. Netanyahu dismisses the warrants as “baseless allegations” from a “biased prosecuting office”.
Details of the Ongoing Ceasefire
Under the first phase of the current ceasefire deal, Hamas freed the remaining 20 surviving Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages who died during the war. At the same time, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a ceasefire line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Following the ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the same period.
Next Steps and Unclear Timeline
Neither Trump’s suggestions, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which mostly supported them, specified a schedule transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilization force is to be set up under the authority of a “peace board” of world leaders led by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian committee to run daily administration of Gaza.
The timeline of these measures is unclear in Trump’s proposals or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed Hamas disarmament.
“I think it’s vital to ensure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their pledge which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarized,” he asserted.
Possible Alternatives and Political Positions
Netanyahu brought up the possibility of “other options” to the ISF, without elaborating on what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, describing it as a topic of “debate”, and stressed that Israel was firmly opposed 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.
International Criminal Court Charges and Legal Proceedings
Netanyahu claimed the primary reason he would not be able to 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 accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has refuted any wrongdoing, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the outcome of an inquiry.
Netanyahu said Khan was “destroying the credibility of the ICC” with “trumped-up charges of deprivation and acts of genocide” from a “corrupt official”.
Another tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is weighing up allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous investigative commission determined that Israel had carried out genocide.
Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz told reporters on Sunday: “There is little cause to consider this at the present time.”