Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the second phase of a U.S.-backed plan to end the Gaza war is approaching, but key issues such as the role and makeup of a multinational force remain unresolved. He is expected to discuss the next steps with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month, as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues amid mutual accusations of violations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, said he expects to move "very soon" to the second phase of the U.S.-drafted Gaza plan and that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss the agreement and "opportunities for peace." According to his office, Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House "in the near future," though no precise date has been made public.
Under the first phase of Trump's Gaza peace plan, Israeli forces pulled back to positions behind a so‑called yellow line but retained operational control over about 53% of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli military statements reported by international media. This initial stage included a ceasefire, the release of 20 surviving Israeli hostages by militants in Gaza, and the exchange of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, as set out in the agreement. The final Israeli captive whose remains are still to be returned is an Israeli police officer killed on October 7, 2023, during Hamas's attack on southern Israel. "We'll get him out," Netanyahu said, referring to the pledge to secure the officer's return.
Since the ceasefire took effect in October, Hamas has reestablished its presence in parts of Gaza outside Israeli-controlled areas, according to security assessments cited in regional and international coverage. Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that Israel's aim is to end Hamas's rule in the territory and to ensure the group both upholds the truce and adheres to commitments in the plan aimed at disarming its forces and demilitarizing Gaza.
The second phase of the plan envisions Israel withdrawing further from Gaza, the establishment of a transitional authority, the deployment of a multinational security or stabilization force, the disarmament of Hamas, and the start of large‑scale reconstruction, according to the U.S.-drafted proposal. A multinational coordination center has been set up in Israel to work on these arrangements, but the plan does not include firm deadlines, and officials involved say efforts to move to phase two have been slow.
"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 these questions as central as Israel and its partners debate how to implement the next stage.
Merz said Germany is prepared to help fund and support the rebuilding of Gaza but is waiting to see the outcome of Netanyahu's planned talks with Trump and to gain clarity on Washington's commitments before deciding on Berlin's specific contribution. He urged that the second phase "must come now."
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes in Gaza that it says are aimed at thwarting imminent attacks and targeting militant infrastructure. Gaza's health ministry says 373 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, while Israeli officials report that three Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period.
Netanyahu said he also intends to discuss broader "opportunities for peace" with Trump, including U.S.-led efforts to deepen or formalize ties between Israel and Arab and Muslim states and to explore what he called a "workable peace" with the Palestinians. He reiterated that Israel would insist on maintaining overall security control in the West Bank.
Trump has said he assured Muslim leaders that Israel would not move to formally annex the occupied West Bank, even as Jewish settlement expansion continues there. Netanyahu said the "question of political annexation" of the territory remains under discussion within Israel.
