Israel seriously considering long-term cease fire with Hamas — report

Israel is seriously considering agreeing to a hudna — a long-term cessation of hostilities — with Hamas after rejecting the offer for weeks, Channel 10 reports.

Diplomatic officials tell the TV channel that Israel has given up on its demands that the terror group ruling Gaza demilitarize and the Palestinian Authority replace them in governing the coastal enclave.

Israeli officials are said to have recognized that with PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s deteriorating health, the likelihood of the latter demand being met is increasingly low.

The agreement currently being negotiated through mediators in Egypt and Qatar would see Israel significantly ease its blockade of Gaza in exchange for the complete cessation of rocket fire and the digging of tunnels by terror groups in the strip.

The Egyptians would also ease restrictions at its Rafah crossing, according to the report.