The large gap between the demands of the Palestinians and the Israelis in the indirect negotiations in Cairo has made a long-term truce difficult to reach.
Palestinians demand that Israel end its eight-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, and re-open an airport and seaport while Israel insists on the demilitarization of the Hamas rule area.
Professor Mukhaimar Abu Saada with Al-Azhar University in Gaza says Israel is not willing to reach a permanent ceasefire.
"It seems to me that the Israelis want a ceasefire, but without giving the Palestinian groups any concessions, or any tangible or positive concessions that could be seen by the Palestinian resistance as a political achievement."
