Italy claims Palestinian, European support for Gaza visit

(ROME) - Italy drew initial support from Palestinian and European leaders as it prepares to lead a European ministerial delegation to the Hamas-run Gaza enclave, the Italian foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini "had the chance to gather the initial, positive reactions from the Palestinian side" during a phone call with Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, said a ministry statement.

Frattini also told Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman during a phone call Thursday that the idea of a visit was "greeted positively by European colleagues, with whom consultations are under way to define the terms of the visit," the text added.

Frattini and Fayyad "have agreed to remain in contact throughout the preparation phase to the visit, that will not only bring a message of solidarity, but will also support the proximity talks" between Israel and the Palestinians.

In late June, Lieberman invited Frattini to lead a European delegation to Gaza, a visit that would end the diplomatic blockade on the enclave.

The invitation came after Israel said it was easing barriers on imports to Gaza and would allow all strictly "civilian" goods into the strip while preventing weapons and certain dual-use items from entering.

Export restrictions remain in force.

Israel imposed the sanctions on Gaza after soldier Gilad Shalit was snatched by members of the Islamist movement Hamas and other militant groups on June 25, 2006.

The closure was further tightened the following year when Hamas seized control of the territory.

International pressure on Israel to lift sanctions soared after its forces killed nine Turkish activists during a May 31 raid on a flotilla of aid ships attempting to run the blockade.