Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the second, more challenging phase of the American-sponsored ceasefire plan for Gaza is anticipated to commence very soon. He also revealed plans for a high-stakes meeting with former US President Donald Trump later this month.
Delicate Truce and Pending Hostage Release
The fragile ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, brought a halt to the intense conflict that erupted following Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite the calm, tensions persist as both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse one another of breaching the agreement's terms.
As part of the initial truce conditions, Palestinian militant groups pledged to release the remaining 47 captives, both living and deceased, taken during the October assault. To date, all hostages have been freed except for the body of an Israeli police officer.
The Path Forward: Disarmament and Withdrawal
Speaking after discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulty ahead. "We very shortly expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult," he stated. The first stage involved Israeli troops pulling back to positions behind a designated "Yellow Line" within Gaza, though they retain control over more than half of the territory. Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, referred to this line as a "new border line."
The upcoming second phase of the Gaza truce plan focuses on three critical objectives:
- The disarmament of Hamas.
- A further withdrawal of Israeli forces as a transitional authority is set up.
- The deployment of an international force to stabilize the region.
"We have a second phase, no less daunting, and that is to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza," Netanyahu emphasized. The long-term goal of the agreement is the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, contingent on specific conditions being met.
Diplomatic Push and Key Conditions
The mediators who brokered the truce, Qatar and Egypt, urged on Saturday for the implementation of next steps, including the pullback of Israeli troops. In a significant statement, Hamas expressed readiness to hand over its weapons in Gaza to a Palestinian authority, but only on the condition of a complete end to the Israeli army's occupation.
In a related diplomatic development, Netanyahu confirmed he will meet Donald Trump in December to explore "opportunities for peace" in the Middle East. The meeting is scheduled to occur in Washington, following an invitation from Trump during a phone call on Monday.
Prior to his Israel visit, Chancellor Merz was in Jordan, where he advocated for increased humanitarian aid to flow into the beleaguered Gaza Strip, highlighting the ongoing international concern for the region's civilian population.
