Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Dec. 7 he expected the second phase of the U.S.-sponsored ceasefire plan for Gaza to begin soon, and said he would meet President Donald Trump this month.
The truce, in effect since Oct.10, has halted the war that began after Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
But it remains delicate as Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violations.
Under the terms of the ceasefire that entered into force on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants committed to releasing the remaining 47 living and dead captives seized on their Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
All of the hostages have so far been released except for the body of an Israeli police officer.
Speaking after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: "We very shortly expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult."
The plan's initial steps saw Israeli troops withdraw to positions behind a so-called "Yellow Line" in Gaza, though still in control of more than half the territory.
Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said the demarcation line is a "new border line", the military quoted him as saying later Sunday.
The second stage of the Gaza truce plan concerns disarming Hamas, the further withdrawal of Israeli forces as a transitional authority is established, and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
A final goal of the agreement is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in phases if certain conditions are met.
"We have a second phase, no less daunting, and that is to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza," Netanyahu said.
Flurry of aid diplomacy
Qatar and Egypt, which helped secure the long-elusive truce, called Saturday for the next steps to be taken including the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Hamas said on the same day it was ready to hand over its weapons in Gaza to a Palestinian authority on the condition that the Israeli army's occupation ends.
Netanyahu also said he would meet Trump later in December to discuss "opportunities for peace" in the region.
The meeting is expected to take place in Washington after the premier's office said Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House during a phone call Monday.
Before Israel, Germany's Merz was in Jordan where he urged more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz were also in Jordan Sunday to discuss humanitarian aid for the territory.
Waltz is due to travel to Israel after Jordan.
Germany reaffirms support
The German leader, who took power in May this year, has repeatedly criticised Israel's relentless military campaign in Gaza, which according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The war was sparked by the Oct. 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Merz urged the implementation of the plan's next steps while reaffirming Berlin's support for Israel during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
"Germany must stand up for the existence and security of Israel," Merz said, after acknowledging his country's "enduring historical responsibility" for the mass extermination of Jews during the Second World War.
During the press conference with Netanyahu, Merz said criticism of Israel was "possible and sometimes perhaps even necessary."
"The relationship between Germany and Israel can withstand that. But criticism of the policies of the Israeli government must not be misused as a pretext for antisemitism," he added.
Merz also underscored German support for a two-state solution.
ICC warrant
Germany had in August moved to restrict German sales of weapons for use in Gaza but has since lifted those export restrictions following the ceasefire.
Despite the truce, more than 360 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, as well as three Israeli soldiers.
Although Merz's public criticism of Israel was unusual for a German leader, it was measured by international standards.
Nevertheless, Merz said he did not discuss the possibility of Netanyahu's visit to Germany with the prime minister.
The Israeli leader faces an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"I am not going there because of an ICC decision," Netanyahu said.
Merz this year vowed to invite the Israeli leader and told him he would not be arrested.
