Gaza War (in cartoons)

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Israel and Hamas have narrowed gaps over a longer-term truce for the Gaza Strip and could begin implementing a deal within days, Hamas officials said on Monday.

Egyptian-sponsored negotiations in Cairo have grown increasingly intense ahead of an Israeli election on Tuesday.

Senior Hamas leader Osama al-Muzaini told Reuters an 18-month cease-fire could be declared in "a few days," though he offered no details on how it would be implemented.

Earlier in Paris, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the truce could begin next week.

Western and Palestinian officials said gaps between Israel and Hamas have narrowed on several issues, including the establishment of a 300-metre wide buffer zone along Gaza's border with Israel. Militants would be barred from entering it.

Aides to outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declined to comment.

Egypt has proposed a staged process beginning with a cease-fire declaration, a deal to exchange prisoners, the opening of Gaza's border crossings and reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions.

If finalised, it would take the place of a shaky January 18 truce that ended Israel's 22-day military offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in which more than 1,300 Palestinians were killed. Fourteen Israelis have died since December 27, when the fighting broke out.