ISTANBUL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House this month to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

“I think we'll be having very important conversations in the end of the month on how to ensure that this second stage is achieved,” Netanyahu told a joint press conference in west Jerusalem with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“We, very shortly, expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult, or equally difficult, than the first phase of the ceasefire,” after the return of the last Israeli hostage from the Gaza Strip, he added.

The Palestinian group Hamas says it has handed over all 20 Israeli hostages who were alive and the remains of all 28 who were killed.

The ceasefire deal has been in place in Gaza since Oct. 10, mediated by Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, and backed by the US.

Phase one of the deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.

Netanyahu said that he would not withdraw from politics even if he is granted a presidential pardon from corruption charges.

Last week, the premier submitted an official request to Israeli President Isaac Herzog asking for clemency from the corruption charges that have pursued him for many years.

The Israeli opposition urged Herzog to condition any pardon for Netanyahu on his exit from politics, saying the request amounts to an admission of guilt.

In January, Netanyahu began interrogation sessions related to corruption charges in cases designated 1000, 2000, and 4000, all of which he denies.

Netanyahu also faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over atrocities in Gaza, where over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023.