• Netanyahu to meet with Trump on December 29 to discuss the second phase of Gaza plan.
• Key issues include the demilitarization of Gaza and the governance process.
• Ceasefire, in effect since October, shows signs of fragility amid ongoing hostilities.
• Hamas has indicated readiness to negotiate its weaponry as part of the ceasefire.
• Germany expresses willingness to aid Gaza's reconstruction, pending US commitments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will meet with US President Donald Trump on December 29 to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu stated that the upcoming discussions will focus on ending Hamas’s rule in Gaza and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire commitments made by Hamas, which entails the demilitarization of the enclave, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Netanyahu signaled that Israel is prepared to enter the second phase of the US-sponsored Gaza plan "soon," which involves more complex issues, such as the potential deployment of a multinational security force and the establishment of a transitional authority in Gaza. He emphasized that the second phase is not merely administrative but also aims to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and bolster international involvement, as noted by reports from India Times and India Times.

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, violence has temporarily subsided, but both sides have accused each other of violating the terms. As of November 19, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with reports of over 72,300 fatalities, while claims of Israeli violations total over 590 incidents. Netanyahu remarked that the previous phase involved hostage releases and the exchange of Palestinian detainees, and indicated that the current discussions are critical for the future of Gaza governance, citing Al Jazeera.

Hamas representatives have expressed a willingness to consider measures that might involve "freezing or storing" their weapons as part of the truce efforts, which may facilitate negotiations on disarmament terms. Meanwhile, Germany has extended its support for Gaza's reconstruction but has indicated that it will await the outcomes of Netanyahu's discussions with Trump before committing resources, according to multiple reports from Dawn, India Times, and Channel News Asia.