• Israeli PM Netanyahu to meet with President Trump to discuss Gaza ceasefire's second phase.
• The ceasefire aims for disarmament of Hamas and establishment of a technocratic government in Gaza.
• Netanyahu emphasized the second phase may begin shortly, pending the return of the last Israeli hostage's remains.
• Discussions also involve the potential deployment of a multinational security force in Gaza.
• The Gaza ceasefire, in place since October, remains fragile with ongoing violations reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 7 that he will hold discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month, targeting the second phase of the ceasefire plan for Gaza. Netanyahu mentioned that further negotiations aim to conclude the ongoing challenges with Hamas's governance in Gaza and to ensure that the second phase progresses, which he described as "more difficult," according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The second phase of the U.S. peace plan is contingent upon the return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Once this occurs, Netanyahu indicated that the transition to disarming Hamas and establishing a transitional government in Gaza would commence, marking a significant advancement in U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region, as reported by Anadolu Agency, CBS News, and Le Monde.

Netanyahu indicated the ongoing ceasefire, which began on October 10, is fragile, expressing the need for substantial public commitments from Hamas to disarm in order to transition to peace. This second phase is also expected to involve the deployment of a multinational security force, which remains a point of contention and negotiation, sources stress, including Middle East Eye and India Times.

As part of the negotiations, discussions will address not only militaristic disarmament but also long-term governance in Gaza under international oversight, which has sparked concerns regarding the presence and nature of international military involvement. In light of this, Netanyahu reiterated his government’s aim to capitalize on potential peace opportunities with both Arab states and their Palestinian neighbors, emphasized in reports from Dawn and LA Times.