Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 7th (local time) signaled willingness to carry out phase two of U.S. President Donald Trump's "Gaza Strip peace plan."
According to the Times of Israel and others, Netanyahu said at a joint press conference after holding a summit with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited Israel that day, "As you know, phase one is finished, we are almost there," adding, "We expect to move to phase two soon."
Netanyahu said he plans to meet President Trump later this month to discuss ways to end the rule of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, calling it "an essential part of ensuring a different future."
Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire on Oct. 10 through mediation by four countries — the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye — and carried out an exchange of hostages and detainees.
Phase two of the peace plan is known to include further withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and the disarmament of Hamas. However, detailed terms have reportedly not yet been agreed.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu made clear his opposition to support in the international community, including Germany, for a "two-state solution" in which Israel and Palestine coexist as separate states. Netanyahu said, "We will not allow a country at our doorstep that is fixated on destroying us."