Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss the progress of the second phase of Trump’s Gaza initiative. The upcoming meeting aims to explore potential pathways to peace and the potential removal of Hamas’s authority in Gaza, as stated during a joint media briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Negotiations concerning the subsequent steps of Trump’s strategy to resolve the conflict in the Palestinian territory have been ongoing. The plan envisions the liberation of Israeli captives and the establishment of an interim technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza. This administration would be overseen by an international “peace council” and supported by an international security presence.
“I am looking forward to crucial discussions at the end of this month to ensure the successful implementation of the second phase,” Netanyahu affirmed. He also highlighted the near completion of the initial phase of Trump’s plan.
While there has been a decrease in attacks following the commencement of the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, sporadic incidents persist. Since the ceasefire came into effect, Hamas has liberated all but one of the 20 hostages and returned 27 bodies in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, with one hostage’s remains still in Gaza.