A notable string of Western diplomatic delegations paid visits to the Gaza Strip this past spring. Most recently, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited June 1 to discuss a truce between Hamas and Israel, the reconstruction effort following the 2014 war on Gaza and alleviation of the blockade imposed since 2006.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Western diplomat who frequently visits Gaza told Al-Monitor, “The primary purpose of the foreign visits to Gaza is to test the waters between Israel and Hamas, to prevent a new military confrontation between both parties by reaching a long-term truce of five years. There have been many security reports presented to the European foreign ministries by their consuls residing in the Palestinian territories noting that the situation in Gaza might explode soon due to the increasing suffering of the Palestinians.”

It seems clear that achieving a truce between Hamas and Israel is being discussed behind the scenes by a number of high-ranking figures from the involved parties. They include Ambassador Mohammed al-Emadi, head of the Qatari National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza; Nickolay Mladenov, special representative of the UN secretary-general to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA); Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, Israeli coordinator of government activities in the territories; and Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of Hamas’ political bureau. Official sources in Gaza, Doha and Cairo confirmed to Al-Monitor that in the past few weeks, the parties had exchanged direct and indirect communications on conditions for a truce. 

Salah Bardawil, a member of Hamas’ Legislative Council and a movement spokesperson, said that Hamas had settled on the following principles to support a truce: “The truce should have a specific time frame and international guarantees; it should not separate the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; and it should be achieved within a national consensus between the forces of the Palestinian people.”