Progress has been made in talks for a long-term cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip, between Israel and the Islamist Hamas organization. The talks, which have been facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, reportedly progressed after Israel dropped two of its key demands, including the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the reassertion of Palestinian Authority control over the territory. Israel’s current demands are as follows: a complete end of all rocket fire and tunnel digging by all organizations in Gaza; Palestinians will refrain from entering the security buffer zone west of the Israel-Gaza border fence; and the bodies Israeli soldiers killed during the last round of fighting and Israeli captives are to be released to Israel immediately. In return, Israel will significantly ease restrictions at the border crossings into Gaza to allow more goods to enter, so long as Hamas does not abuse the easing of the blockade to build its military capabilities. In addition, the Egyptians pledged to ease restrictions as well, at the Rafah border crossing. According to various reports, all signs indicate that Hamas is very eager to reach a cease-fire agreement, and the prevalent assessment is that Egypt and Qatar are in a position to apply pressure on Hamas that will bring about a successful outcome. That is why, for the first time, Israeli officials voiced to TV7 optimism about the possibility of negotiations for a cease-fire producing an agreement.