EU envoy Solana visits Gaza amid truce talks

Gaza Strip: A top European Union diplomat is in Gaza for the first time since Hamas took over the territory.

Javier Solana is touring Gaza amid a flurry of talks on an Israel-Hamas truce, reconciliation between Palestinian factions and donations for the territory's reconstruction.

Solana's visit Friday is part of an increase in the number of high-profile foreign dignitaries coming to Gaza since Israel's offensive there ended Jan. 18. US Senator John Kerry visited last week, the highest-level visit by a US official since the Hamas takeover in June, 2007.

The visits could indicate a greater willingness on the part of the international community to become involved in Gaza, which has been largely isolated since Hamas came to power.

An international Gaza reconstruction conference begins Monday.