Netanyahu expects to move ‘very soon’ to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza

The Prime Minister of Benjamin Netanyahu, stated this Sunday (7) that he plans to move “very soon” to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in sponsored by the United States, although he signaled that it will be “difficult”.

The truce, in force since October 10, stopped the war in the Gaza Strip, which broke out after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the committed to releasing the 47 hostages still remaining in its custody – both living and deceased – captured during its 2023 attack.

All living hostages were released and the bodies of the deceased handed over, except one, that of Israeli Ran Gvili.

The second stage of the peace plan envisages the disarmament of Hamas, the creation of a transitional authority and the deployment of an international stabilization force.

After a meeting with the head of the German government, Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu said: “We plan to move very soon to the second phase, which is more difficult or equally difficult.”

The Israeli prime minister added that he will meet with United States President Donald Trump at the end of December to discuss “opportunities for peace” in the region.

According to his office, the meeting should take place in Washington, after the American president invited him to the White House during a phone call on Monday.

Merz arrived in Israel on Saturday for his first diplomatic visit since taking office, with the aim of consolidating relations between the two countries after some tensions due to the war in the Gaza Strip and violence by extremist Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

“Germany must defend the existence and security of Israel. This will forever remain deeply inscribed in the bond that unites us”, declared the chancellor at the Yad Vashem memorial, highlighting his country’s “historic responsibility” in the extermination of six million Jews during the Second World War.

*With AFP