Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the initial phase of the US-mediated Gaza peace plan is nearing completion, and he indicated that the subsequent phase will focus on the disarmament of Hamas.
Netanyahu remarked that the second phase will present greater challenges as it will necessitate consultations and discussions. He mentioned that he plans to address this matter with US President Donald Trump in Washington later this month.
“We are on the verge of concluding the first stage,” Netanyahu stated. “However, we must ensure that we achieve equivalent outcomes in the second stage, and that is a topic I eagerly anticipate discussing with President Trump.”
The prime minister made these comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who remarked: “Phase two must commence now, and phase three should also be taken into account,” as reported by The Guardian.
First phase of ceasefire
In the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has returned all but one of the 28 bodies of hostages who were killed during the conflict.
The ceasefire was announced on October 10, following a full-scale war in which Israeli forces killed over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children.
However, the ceasefire has not succeeded in establishing lasting peace between the two parties. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are to withdraw further, and an international stabilization force (ISF) is to be established under the oversight of a “board of peace” led by Trump.
Hamas to disarm
In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu stressed that Hamas is required to disarm. “I believe it is crucial to ensure that Hamas adheres not only to the ceasefire but also to their commitment to disarm and demilitarize Gaza,” he stated.
