Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel is nearing agreement on the second phase of a U.S.-brokered plan to end the war in Gaza, but warned that several sensitive security questions still need to be settled — including whether a multinational force will be deployed in the enclave.
Speaking in Jerusalem alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu said he expects to hold “important discussions” with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to determine how phase two can be implemented. The meeting date has not yet been publicly announced, though Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House in November.
The prime minister said he intends to raise the future of Hamas rule in Gaza and the enforcement of the ceasefire that has been in place for nearly two months. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce, and Netanyahu emphasized the need to ensure Hamas “upholds their commitments” to disarmament and demilitarization outlined in the U.S. proposal.
Under the first phase of the Trump administration’s plan, Israel retained control over 53% of Gaza while hostages held by Palestinian militants were exchanged for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. The final remaining transfers involve the remains of an Israeli police officer killed on Oct. 7, 2023. “We’ll get him out,” Netanyahu said, referring to efforts to recover the officer’s body.
Israeli officials say Hamas has reconstituted parts of its military structure in areas outside Israeli control since the ceasefire began in October.
Phase two of the plan calls for Israel to withdraw further as a transitional governing authority is established, Hamas is disarmed, reconstruction begins, and a multinational security force deploys to stabilize the territory. Netanyahu said that many of these elements are still under discussion.
Chancellor Merz urged Israel and the United States to accelerate efforts to launch the next phase, telling reporters that Germany is prepared to support Gaza’s reconstruction once the details of the plan are finalized.
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“Phase two must come now,” Merz said, though he noted that Berlin will wait to see the outcome of Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump before determining what role Germany will play.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued limited airstrikes, which it says are aimed at preventing imminent attacks or destroying militant cells. Gaza’s health ministry says 373 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began. According to Israeli authorities, three Israeli soldiers have been killed by militant fire during the same period.
Netanyahu said his talks in Washington will also focus on “opportunities for peace,” referencing U.S. efforts to advance normalization agreements between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority states. “We believe there’s a path to advance a broader peace with the Arab states, and a path also to establish a workable peace with our Palestinian neighbors,” he said. He added that Israel would continue to insist on maintaining security control in the occupied West Bank.