Key Points
- Netanyahu says phase two of the Gaza peace plan is close, but he will speak to Donald Trump over unresolved issues.
- These issues include the demilitarising of Gaza and whether an international security force will be deployed.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says phase two of peace plan "must come now".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the second phase of a US plan to end the war in Gaza was close, but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved.
Netanyahu, speaking to reporters alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, said that he would hold important discussions with US President Donald Trump at the end of the month on how to ensure the plan's second phase was achieved.
Netanyahu said that he would discuss with Trump how to bring an end to Hamas rule in Gaza. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is entering its second month, although both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce agreement.
Israel has repeatedly carried out air strikes since the ceasefire came into effect that it says are fending off attacks or destroying militant infrastructure.
At least 373 Palestinians have been killed and 970 wounded by Israeli attacks since the start of the ceasefire in October, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants according to Israeli officials.
Netanyahu said that it was important to ensure Hamas not only upholds the ceasefire but also follows through on "their commitment" to the plan to disarm and for Gaza to be demilitarised.
Israel retained control of 53 per cent of Gaza under the first phase of Trump's plan, which involved the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza and of Palestinians detained by Israel.
The final hostage remains to be handed over are those of an Israeli police officer killed on October 7 2023.
"We'll get him out," Netanyahu said.
Since the ceasefire started in October, the militant group has reestablished itself in the rest of Gaza.
What does phase two of a peace plan look like?
According to the plan, Israel is to pull back further in the second phase as a transitional authority is established in Gaza and a multinational security force is deployed, Hamas is disarmed, and reconstruction begins.
A multinational coordination centre has been established in Israel, but there are no deadlines in the plan and officials involved say that efforts to advance it have stalled.
"What will be the timeline? What are the forces that are coming in? Will we have international forces? If not, what are the alternatives? These are all topics that are being discussed," Netanyahu said, describing them as central issues.
Merz said that Germany was willing to help rebuild Gaza but would wait for Netanyahu's meeting with Trump, and for clarity on what Washington was prepared to do, before Berlin decides what it would contribute but that phase two "must come now".
What about plans to annex the occupied West Bank?
Netanyahu said that he would also discuss with Trump "opportunities for peace", an apparent reference to US efforts for Israel to establish formal ties with Arab and Muslim 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 neighbours," Netanyahu said, asserting Israel would always insist on security control of the occupied West Bank.
Trump has said he promised Muslim leaders that Israel would not annex the occupied West Bank, where Netanyahu's government is backing the development of Jewish settlements.
The "question of political annexation" of the West Bank remains a subject of discussion, Netanyahu said.
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