Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to advance the second phase of a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire plan. The talks come amid heightened tensions, with Hamas resisting disarmament demands and over 70,000 Palestinian deaths reported since 2023.
🔑 Key Developments:
The first phase of the ceasefire, initiated in October 2023 after a Hamas attack, has seen limited success, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Phase two aims to tackle "the more difficult issues", including Hamas disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals, and deploying an international stabilization force.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya stated the group would relinquish weapons "if the Israeli occupation ends", while Israel insists on disarmament as a non-negotiable condition.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, visiting Jerusalem, emphasized urgency for phase two and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution.
💬 Why It Matters: With 360+ Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers killed since the 2023 truce, this month’s talks could determine whether the fragile peace holds—or unravels entirely. Analysts call it a "make-or-break moment" for regional stability.
