RAMALLAH, West Bank — The 24-hour military confrontation May 29 between the Israeli army and the Palestinian factions led by Hamas in the Gaza Strip proved the parties' desire to contain the situation and keep it from escalating into an open confrontation.

The desire of the parties to refrain from military escalation indicate that the word that circulated in Arab and Hebrew media circles in May about Egyptian and Qatari mediation attempts to conclude a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel to ease the siege on Gaza — which Al-Monitor reported on — is likely true.

Israeli newspaper Maariv said in its editorial June 1, “The recent escalation in Gaza has not hindered the advanced contacts and negotiations on the comprehensive settlement on the southern front, but on the contrary has further accelerated them.” The newspaper stressed that “contacts continue at a high pace, with an Egyptian mediation and a limited Qatari participation.” 

Meanwhile, Al-Monitor’s Ben Caspit reported in late May that “Israel has given Egyptian and Qatari mediators the green light to deliver the goods” when it comes to a Hamas-Israel agreement.