Netanyahu
By Olamilekan Abayomi
Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem that Israel and Hamas are “very shortly expected to move into the second phase of the ceasefire” once the remains of the last Israeli hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, are handed over ¹. He made the comment during a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who was on his first visit to Israel since the war began.
The second phase, as Netanyahu outlined, will focus on disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and deploying an international stabilization force to secure the strip. It also calls for the formation of a temporary Palestinian technocratic government that would run day‑to‑day affairs under the supervision of an international board led by the United States.
Merz said Germany is ready to help with the implementation, offering officers and diplomats to a U.S.–led civilian‑military coordination centre in southern Israel and sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. He reaffirmed Berlin’s long‑standing support for Israel’s security while also backing a two‑state solution.
On the diplomatic front, Netanyahu announced he will meet President Donald Trump later this month to discuss “opportunities for peace” and to push the second phase forward ³. The meeting, expected in Washington, follows a phone invitation from Trump and comes as the U.S. continues to mediate the truce.
The humanitarian picture remains grim: Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 370 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, and three Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives. All living hostages have been returned, but the body of the police officer still remains in Gaza, keeping the first phase technically incomplete.
Overall, the mood is cautiously optimistic but realistic. Netanyahu warns the second phase will be “more difficult,” and while Germany and the U.S. are lining up support, the return of Gvili’s remains and the establishment of an international force are seen as the key hurdles before any lasting stability can be achieved.
