Reports say Israel, Hamas working on ceasefire agreement

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Weeks into Egypt-mediated negotiations, Israel and Hamas continue working to hammer out a lasting ceasefire agreement that, according to reports, includes plans for a Gaza airport, commercial sea lanes, and in the future, facilitates work for Gazans in Israel.

The storm that led to the calm

Both sides are weary from years of fighting. Hamas-backed militants operating out of Gaza intermittently launch rockets at southern Israel and build underground infiltration tunnel networks for carrying out operations inside Israel.

Hamas-sponsored mass protests along the "border" with Israel have been ongoing since March, further stretching Israel's military resources and incendiary balloons and kites flown into Israel from Gaza have destroyed thousands of acres of crops and land.

Dr. Kobi Michael from Israel National Security Studies Institute. /CGTN Photo

Israel routinely carries out airstrikes against Hamas targets inside Gaza, killing operatives and civilians and further damaging an infrastructure already devastated during Israel's 2014 military operation in the Strip.

Israel's land, sea and air blockades of Gaza have, in part, plunged the Strip into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Basics like water, food, medical supplies and electricity are in short supply.

"Imagine if tomorrow the entire populations of New York and Colorado just disappeared from the map of the United States. Over the past 12 years that is exactly what happened to the population of Gazans killed as a result of Israeli aggression," Dr. Saeb Erekat, Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The Deal: What's on the table

What do reports say some of the deal terms include?

Still image of air strikes in the Northern Gaza Strip. /IDF Photo

Israel wants security guarantees: No rockets launched on southern Israel cities, no incendiary kites or balloons sailed into Israel, tapered down protests along the Israel-Gaza "border" and return of prisoners and soldier remains in Gaza.

Hamas wants the blockade on Gaza eased, making movement of goods like petrol and medical supplies into the Strip more viable. Hamas also wants commercial sea routes.

There is also talk of a later stage airport to be built in Gaza and of granting work permits to Gazans for employment in Israel.

The plan will be implemented in stages with progress contingent upon success of each preceding stage.

A deal is expected to be finalized by the end of August, according to the reports.