Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is on the cusp of advancing to the second, more challenging phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. The announcement came during a press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday, where he was joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Next Steps: Disarmament and Demilitarization
Netanyahu outlined the critical conditions for the upcoming phase. The second stage requires the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. This follows the first phase, which will be concluded upon the return of the body of the last remaining Israeli hostage held in Gaza. The Prime Minister emphasized that a third phase must focus on the "de-radicalization" of the territory.
"We very shortly expect to move to the second phase, which is more difficult, or equally difficult," Netanyahu stated. "We're almost there."
Upcoming Trump Meeting and International Force
The Israeli leader confirmed he will meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss the path forward. Key topics will include the timeline for disarming Hamas and the potential deployment of an international stabilization force to Gaza.
Under a proposal linked to Trump, this force would include troops from several Muslim-majority nations, such as Indonesia and Azerbaijan. They would work alongside Egypt and Israel to maintain order as the Israel Defence Forces withdraw. The plan also envisions a transitional government operating under a "Board of Peace."
Netanyahu said he intends to discuss with Trump the "opportunities for peace" now available, citing what he described as two years of sustained pressure on Iran and its proxies. He vowed Israel would capitalize on these opportunities but did not provide specific details.
Fragile Truce and Regional Concerns
The ceasefire, now two months old, remains fragile with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violations. The situation continues to draw concern from international mediators.
Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed worry on Sunday, stating that continued Israeli strikes are creating "a lot of uncertainty" regarding Middle East stability. He also noted the unresolved tense standoff between Iran and the United States. Qatar, alongside Egypt, is acting as a key mediator in the ongoing ceasefire talks.
Netanyahu concluded that ensuring the full implementation of commitments in the second phase will be a top priority in his discussions with the former American president.
