Israel Nears Phase 2 of Gaza Accord: Breakthrough Negotiations Toward Sustainable Peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire is nearly done and expects to move into the more difficult second phase soon. He's planning to meet with President Donald Trump later this month to discuss how to end Hamas rule in Gaza and explore peace opportunities.

The timing hinges on finding the remains of the last Israeli captive. Hamas and the Red Cross resumed searching yesterday in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood for these remains. So far, Hamas has handed over 27 bodies as part of the prisoner and body exchange in phase one of the agreement.

Netanyahu made these comments during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He described the upcoming second phase as "the most difficult" but didn't provide specifics about what it would involve.

But there's tension brewing with Germany. Merz said Israeli government actions have put Germany in a difficult position, referring to the war that has killed over 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. International organizations and several countries have called this genocide, creating a humanitarian crisis with widespread famine and disease.

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, which he says is why he's avoiding visits to Germany. Merz confirmed they didn't discuss any potential German visit during their meeting.

**Ceasefire violations continue**

Israeli forces are still breaking the ceasefire agreement. Yesterday, they fired at locations in southern and central Gaza beyond the so-called Yellow Line, injuring a child after moving outside their designated areas in Khan Younis.

The child was taken to the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City with gunshot wounds after Israeli forces targeted the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. Local sources say this area was one that Israeli forces had already withdrawn from under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

These violations highlight the fragile nature of the current arrangement. While Netanyahu talks about moving to phase two, continued military actions in areas where forces should have withdrawn raise questions about Israel's commitment to the ceasefire terms.

The search for the final captive's remains appears to be the key trigger for advancing to the next phase. Hamas officials say they're looking in areas that haven't been searched yet, though Israel believes Hamas knows the location.