JERUSALEM:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he expects the second phase of the US-brokered Gaza truce plan to begin “very shortly”, signalling a new and more complex stage in the months-long ceasefire arrangement. He also confirmed he will meet US President Donald Trump later this month to discuss regional peace efforts.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10, brought a halt to hostilities that erupted after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite easing violence, the truce remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas repeatedly accusing each other of violations.
First Phase: Hostage Releases and Partial Withdrawals
Under the deal, Palestinian militant groups agreed to release the remaining 47 Israeli captives, both living and deceased, taken during the October 7 attack.
So far, all hostages have been released except for one, the body of an Israeli police officer.
In the initial phase, Israeli forces pulled back to positions behind what the military termed the “Yellow Line” — a temporary demarcation inside Gaza. Although troops withdrew from some areas, Israel continues to maintain control over more than half of the territory.
Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, described the Yellow Line as a “new border line”, reflecting the shifting dynamics on the ground.
Second Phase: Disarmament and Security Restructuring
Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the upcoming phase would be “more difficult” and central to determining Gaza’s long-term security structure.
The second phase of the truce plan includes:
- Disarming Hamas and removing its military capabilities
- Further Israeli troop withdrawals
- Establishing a transitional governing authority in Gaza
- Deploying an international stabilisation force to maintain security
Netanyahu stressed that the ultimate aim is a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces if the outlined conditions are met.
“We have a second phase, no less daunting, and that is to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza,” he said.
Regional Diplomacy Pushes Forward
Countries that helped broker the ceasefire—Qatar and Egypt—called on Saturday for progress toward the next stage, including the broader pullback of Israeli forces.
In a rare statement, Hamas signaled willingness to surrender its weapons to a unified Palestinian authority, but only if the Israeli military ends its occupation of Gaza.
Netanyahu–Trump Meeting Expected This Month
Netanyahu also confirmed he will visit Washington later in December after receiving an invitation from President Donald Trump.
The two leaders are expected to discuss “opportunities for peace” and the broader security landscape in the Middle East.
Before arriving in Israel, Germany’s Chancellor Merz visited Jordan, where he urged the international community to accelerate humanitarian assistance to Gaza, warning of worsening conditions for civilians.