Four the past four months, indirect talks have been taking place between Israel and Hamas. The negotiations, which have been conducted through a variety of intermediaries, including Qatar, the UN and Europe, have focused on securing a long-term ceasefire. Under the deal being discussed, Hamas would promise to refrain from any hostilities against Israel for a given period, possibly three to five years. In exchange, Israel would ease its partial blockade of Gaza and take other steps to help its economy. Later - although this seems unlikely - Israel might even reconsider ideas it has rejected in the past, such as allowing the construction of a seaport in Gaza under external supervision.