IDF chief says Gaza ceasefire line is ‘new border’ – but PM Netanyahu says Phase 2 will begin ‘shortly’

The IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published on Sunday somewhat conflicting statements about the state of the ceasefire and the future of the Gaza Peace Plan.

Zamir toured the Israeli positions in the Gaza Strip with several high-ranking officers of the Southern Command, while signalling pessimism regarding a potential advancement to the ceasefire deal’s second phase, which would include further Israeli withdrawals from the “Yellow Line” marking the ceasefire.

“We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip and we will remain on those defense lines,” said Zamir, implying that no Israeli withdrawal would be forthcoming in the near future.

“The Yellow Line is a new border line – serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity.”

However, Prime Minister Netanyahu signalled that the second phase of the ceasefire, which would include Israeli withdrawals as well as the start of a new administration of the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas, could start soon.

Speaking during a joint press conference with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, he said, “Phase one, we're almost there. We have one more deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, a hero of Israel, to return here. And then we very shortly expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult, or equally difficult.”

Merz and Netanyahu discussed “how to bring an end to the Hamas rule in Gaza because that's an essential part of ensuring a different future for Gaza and a different future for us, facing Gaza,” said the prime minister.

He added that the second phase is “no less daunting” and will include “the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza,”

“And as I mentioned to the Chancellor, there is a third phase, and that is to de-radicalize Gaza, something that also people believed was impossible. But it was done in Germany. It was done in Japan. It's done in the Gulf States. It can be done in Gaza, too. But, of course, Hamas has to be dismantled.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled he wants to advance to Phase 2 in the coming weeks. According to i24 News, the president will announce the composition of the transitional “Board of Peace” on Dec. 15.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz is set to arrive in Israel this week to continue talks with Netanyahu about the situation in Gaza.

However, despite the American optimism, there is no sign that Hamas is intending to lay down its weapons.

On the contrary, Hamas' political bureau chief Khaled Mashaal, on Saturday reiterated the group’s rejection of all forms of external guardianship over the Gaza Strip, saying that the Palestinians are the only legitimate governing authority. 

Zamir’s comments, meanwhile, showed that the military is prepared to maintain the current situation and doesn’t expect changes on the ground.

“We are operating to thwart and remove threats in all arenas. We will not tolerate threats against our troops, and we will respond to any attempt. We have freedom of operation – both here in the Southern Command and across all arenas. We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself,” he said.

“The overwhelming majority of our hostages have returned, but our mission will not be complete until the last fallen hostage, SFC Ran Gvili, is brought home. We must not be complacent.”

The general stressed that the IDF “is preparing for surprise attack scenarios – this is one of the cornerstones of the upcoming multi-year plan. The security and existence of the State of Israel depend on the IDF, with reserve troops being a central component.”