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Five EU foreign ministers have accepted an invitation from Israel to visit the Gaza Strip, a rare concession from Tel Aviv which is now easing its strict blockade on people and goods entering the Palestinian area. But does this mean real change is afoot?
The Israeli government has asked the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain to visit Gaza later this month to see for themselves how the easing of the long-running blockade is impacting on the lives of civilians.
Euranet's correspondent Nina Maria Potts says EU officials in Brussels are talking up offer as a foreign policy coup for the EU, as only two other foreign officials, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and UN leader Ban Ki-moon, have been allowed to visit the enclave recently.
But, in fact, this may not all be down to the EU's diplomatic skills. Israel is still working hard to limit the major PR damage caused by its deadly raid on an aid flotilla in May, that cost nine Turkish citizens their lives.
The incident brought Israel's four-year blockade of Gaza under intense international scrutiny, forcing officials to agree to a change in policy. The fallout from the raid is also jeopardising Tel Aviv's previously good relations with Ankara.
