STORY: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the second phase of a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza was close...
...but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved.
NETANYAHU: "I'm going to discuss them with President Trump when I meet him later on this month."
Netanyahu's comments came while speaking to reporters alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem.
NETANYAHU: "I think it's important to make sure that Hamas complies not only with the ceasefire, but also with their commitment, which they undertook to disarm, and to have Gaza demilitarized. // We're about to finish the first stage. We're almost, we're there, almost, but we have to make sure that we achieve the same results in the second stage, and that's something that I look forward to discussing with President Trump."
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is entering its second month, although both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce agreement.
:: Khan Younis
:: December 3, 2025
Since the ceasefire came into effect, Israel has carried out air strikes that it says are fending off attacks or destroying militant infrastructure.
Gaza's health ministry says 373 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire started. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants.
:: Kibbutz Beit Guvrin, Israel
:: October 19, 2025
Israel retained control of 53% of Gaza under the first phase of Trump's plan, which involved the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza and of Palestinians detained by Israel.
According to the plan, Israel is to pull back further in the second phase as a transitional authority is established in Gaza and a multinational security force is deployed, Hamas is disarmed, and reconstruction begins.
