Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday a transition "very soon" to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas must, however, return one last hostage body to Israel, in accordance with phase one of the agreement, recalled the Israeli Prime Minister. For his part, the head of the Israeli army affirmed at the end of the day that the demarcation line in Gaza is the “new border”.

Published on: 07/12/2025 - 16:19 Modified on: 07/12/2025 - 22:20

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, December 7, that he plans to move "very soon" to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, sponsored by the United States, while noting that this will be "difficult".

"We discussed how to put an end to the power of Hamas in Gaza. [...] We have completed the first phase [...] then we expect very soon to move on to the second phase, which is more difficult or equally difficult", affirmed Benjamin Netanyahu, after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Benjamin Netanyahu added that he would meet Donald Trump this month. “I will have very important conversations at the end of the month on how to ensure the success of the second phase,” he added.

Hamas must still return one last hostage body

The Israeli Prime Minister recalled that in accordance with the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas still had to return to Israel one last hostage body held in Gaza, that of the Israeli Ran Gvili.

Read alsoGaza: Hamas ready to hand over its weapons to a Palestinian authority, “if the occupation ends”

The second phase of the agreement, modeled on Donald Trump's peace plan, provides for the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, recalled the Prime Minister. It also includes the deployment of an international force in the Palestinian territory, and the withdrawal of the Israeli army.

Benjamin Netanyahu said it was important to ensure that Hamas respects the ceasefire, but also that it honors "its commitment" to the disarmament and demilitarization plan for Gaza.

Regarding the stabilization force, he added: "What will the timetable be? Will there be international forces? If not, what are the alternatives? Here are all the topics that are being discussed," he continued, describing them as central topics. He also said that "the question of political annexation" of the West Bank remained a topic of discussion.

Read alsoIn the occupied West Bank, the fear of “a deaf annexation” by Israel

Speaking in the Gaza Strip in front of reservist soldiers, the chief of staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, affirmed on Sunday that the Yellow Line, marking a first withdrawal of the Israeli army inside the territory, constituted "a new border - a forward line of defense for the (Israeli) localities and a line of attack".

Benjamin Netanyahu wants to “de-radicalize Gaza”

"There is a third phase, which is to deradicalize Gaza, something that many thought was impossible. But it was done in Germany, [...] it can be done in Gaza too, but of course Hamas must be dismantled," added Benjamin Netanyahu.

“This must now succeed,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, asserting that Germany will contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza and the restoration of peace. “Hamas cannot play any role in Gaza,” he stressed.

Also read: The ceasefire in Gaza remains incomplete without “a total withdrawal” of Israel, says Qatar

Friedrich Merz arrived on Saturday for a diplomatic visit to Israel, the first since he took office, intended to consolidate the privileged relationship between the two countries, after frictions caused by the war in the Gaza Strip and due to the violence of extremist Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

With AFP

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