Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss the second phase of Washington’s ceasefire plan for Gaza, where calm has yet to be fully achieved.
A U.S.-brokered truce took effect on Oct. 10 after a Hamas attack on Israel two years ago, but both sides accuse each other of violations.
“We very shortly expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult,” Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He said talks with Trump at the end of December would focus on “opportunities for peace.” Merz said phase two “must come now” and voiced support for a two-state solution.
In the first stage, Palestinian militants released the remaining 47 Israeli hostages, living and dead, except for the body of a police officer. The second phase is expected to address Hamas disarmament, further Israeli troop withdrawals, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said Saturday the group would surrender its weapons “if the occupation ends,” adding that discussions with factions and mediators remain in early stages. Israel has insisted on Hamas disarmament as a key condition.
Despite the truce, more than 360 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the period, bringing the total death toll to 70,360, according to local health authorities. Three Israeli soldiers have also been killed.