The first official meeting that essentially foreshadowed that the Gaza ceasefire plan was in effect was that of Donald Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on September 29. It probably doesn’t arise from coincidence that their next scheduled meeting is exactly three months later, on December 29, based on what Israel’s government spokesperson announced on Monday the 8th of the month. That is, the meeting will take place in three weeks and most likely concerns the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Read: US mediates Netanyahu meeting with al-Sisi – Strategic natural gas agreement on the table
Benjamin Netanyahu, moreover, announced it at the joint meeting he had with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on Sunday December 7. According to Israel’s prime minister, the second phase is approaching, although the first phase has not yet been completed. However, details remain, as Hamas must send Israel the body of the last hostage, while it has sent home the 20 living and 26 of the 27 bodies.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting: “Implementation of the second phase”
The second phase, therefore, is at the center of attention, although the Gaza ceasefire was not achieved, except for the first few days after the agreement signed by world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Just days after the signatures, the agreement was undermined, first by Hamas’s attack on IDF members in southern Gaza and then – consequently – by Israel. However, Netanyahu emphasized: “At the end of the month I will have very important talks on how to ensure implementation of the second phase.” Israel’s prime minister, however, left no shadows regarding his conviction, as he spoke of ending the organization’s dominance in the enclave.
The second stage, however, probably concerns the creation of a temporary technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, under the supervision of an international “peace council” and with the support of an international security force. Certainly, delicate discussions will also take place regarding the safe passage of fighters from the Strip.
