But the Israeli foreign minister immediately poured cold water on a two-year timetable for a peace deal, saying it was "not a realistic goal," according to Ha'aretz.
"We need to begin direct talks without committing to any timeframe." ... "In the past, timetables were set and not met and this led to violence," [Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor] Lieberman said.
The diplomatic buzz comes as activists mark the one-year anniversary of Israel's invasion of Gaza, which left 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers dead.
In recent days, the Egyptian government has opened a border crossing to the Gaza Strip, and allowed in more than a hundred foreign pro-Palestinian activists, many from France, Reuters reported.
