Security arrangements and trade access to the Gaza Strip are expected to be issues at the core of the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt. Egyptian officials are to mediate the talks, with assistance from U.S. diplomats.

Israel aims to ensure Hamas cannot rebuild its rocket arsenal and military capabilities, while Hamas wants the Israeli blockade of goods and people into Gaza lifted. At the center of these deliberations, according to U.S., Israeli and Arab diplomats, is a push to place the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas and Egypt at the heart of efforts to disarm Hamas and open Gaza to economic development.

These diplomats said the Palestinian Authority might be given the task of manning Gaza's border crossings with both Egypt and Israel, which will be needed to smooth the flow of humanitarian aid.

Ending a seven-year Israeli and Egyptian blockade of Gaza is one of Hamas's central demands for any deal. But it was unclear whether Hamas would resist the push to give Mr. Abbas a larger role in Gaza. The Palestinian president is also the head of the Fatah political faction, Hamas's chief rival.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/cease-fire-between-israel-and-hamas-holds-for-second-day-1407330080