Israeli media has reported in recent days on efforts by several sides to reach a long-term truce with the Palestinian Hamas movement. Two senior Israeli military experts spoke of an Egyptian offer, as well as a Qatari one, to reach understandings between Tel Aviv and Hamas. Alon Ben David and Barak Ravid revealed through Israel’s Channel 10 that Tel Aviv was positively considering the proposals and that it would demand a complete ceasefire, halt to tunnel-digging and release of soldiers detained by Hamas. Sources from Hamas, however, insisted on separating the detained soldiers file from lifting the Israeli siege off the Gaza Strip. Ben David and Ravid said that Israel may make concessions over its demand for the disarmament of Palestinian factions and refrain from demanding the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza. Ben David stated that the chances of reaching a deal were high after Israel had ignored several proposals in recent months. He also revealed that the current suggestion is backed by Arab and western countries as they hope to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Egypt’s proposal, he said, calls for permanently opening the Rafah border with Gaza, which would explain Cairo’s decision last week to open the crossing for the entire month of Ramadan. Hamas is very interested in reaching such a ceasefire and mediators have sensed that the group will exert positive efforts to ensure the mediation’s success, added Ben David. He revealed that for the first time, the Israeli side was optimistic over the chances of the proposal’s success. He remarked, however, that the concerned sides were worried about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority rejecting the deal because it excludes them. Meanwhile, Israel’s Reshet Kan station reported that a Russian diplomatic delegation had secretly visited Gaza on Wednesday where it met the Hamas leadership. It said the trip may have been linked to several international efforts to restore calm in the coastal strip, adding that Hamas-Russia ties have improved in the past two years. Hamas has so far not commented on any media reports on a truce, but sources close to the movement told Asharq Al-Awsat that no serious offers have been made. They did confirm, however, international efforts to reach a truce. Israel’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett said that any talk of a deal with Hamas must meet all of Tel Aviv’s conditions. These include releasing all soldiers held by Hamas. Israel would then allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. It would also permit the renovation of the enclave, while reserving its right to address any security risks that may arise. Israel is determined to confront Hamas’ armament and consolidation of its military power, stressed Bennett.