Israel and Hamas Prepare for Second phase of Ceasefire, Contingent on Hostage Remains Return
Germany reaffirmed its unwavering support for Israel as the nation anticipates a potential shift to the second phase of its ceasefire agreement with Hamas, a move dependent on the return of the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that Israel and Hamas are “very shortly expected” to move into the second phase of the ceasefire, a statement during a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor friedrich Merz in tel Aviv.
the impending second phase, according to Netanyahu, will focus on the disarming of Hamas and the subsequent withdrawal of israeli troops from Gaza, possibly beginning before the end of December. This follows the completion of the first phase, which included the exchange of 15 Palestinian bodies for Gvili’s remains, as outlined in a 20-point ceasefire plan spearheaded by the U.S.
Though, significant hurdles remain. Hamas has yet to locate and return Gvili’s remains, claiming they are buried under the rubble resulting from Israel’s two-year offensive in Gaza.Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the process and has threatened to resume military operations or curtail humanitarian aid if the remains are not promptly returned. Families of hostages have echoed this sentiment, stating, “we cannot advance to the next phase before Ran Gvili returns home.”
The second stage of the ceasefire also envisions the deployment of an international force to maintain security in Gaza and the establishment of a temporary palestinian government to manage daily affairs under the oversight of an international board led by U.S. President Donald Trump. A senior Hamas official indicated Sunday that the group is open to discussing “freezing or storing or laying down” its weapons, acknowledging this as a critical, yet challenging, aspect of the agreement.
Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulty of the path ahead, stating that achieving the second phase would be as challenging as the first. He further outlined a third phase focused on deradicalizing Gaza, drawing parallels to triumphant efforts in Germany, japan, and Gulf States. “But of course Hamas has to be dismantled,” he emphasized.
The evolving situation on the ground is further complex by the establishment of what Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has termed a “new border” – the “Yellow Line” – which demarcates the israeli-controlled areas within Gaza. Zamir affirmed that Israeli forces maintain “operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip” and will continue to operate along these defense lines.
German Chancellor Merz reiterated Germany’s steadfast support for Israel, announcing the deployment of German officers and diplomats to a U.S.-led civilian and military coordination center in southern Israel, alongside continued humanitarian aid to Gaza.While reaffirming Germany’s long-held belief in a two-state solution, Merz clarified that recognition of a Palestinian state should occur at the end of the peace process, not as a precondition.
Netanyahu also revealed that concerns over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court regarding the war in Gaza are preventing him from planning a diplomatic visit to Germany. Chancellor Merz indicated that while no immediate visit is scheduled, a future invitation remains a possibility. He also stated he was unaware of any impending sanctions against Israel from the European Union or a renewal of German restrictions on military exports to Israel, noting the lifting of a temporary ban following the initial ceasefire on October 10.
Recent clashes continue despite the ceasefire, with the Israeli military reporting the killing of a militant who approached troops across the Yellow Line. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli forces have killed over 370 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, with six additional deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
The conflict’s origins trace back to the hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages, most of whom have as been released or their remains recovered. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, resulted in at least 70,360 Palestinian deaths, with nearly half being women and children. The ministry’s figures, while not differentiating between combatants and civilians, are considered reliable by the United Nations and other international organizations.
