FACTBOX - Emerging Gaza ceasefire plan

(Reuters) - Israel, Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have entered talks with Egypt to try to iron out the terms of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Western diplomats predicted a difficult negotiation ahead.

Israel is seeking international and regional security guarantees to ensure the Islamist Hamas group cannot rearm.

The Palestinians, in turn, want Israel to end its crippling blockade of the aid-dependent coastal enclave.

"You need to find a carrot for both sides. That's the only way it will work," said a senior European diplomat.

Hamas officials in Gaza said the group was still considering the plan, denying reports that they had rejected it.

Based on interviews with diplomatic and political sources, here are the main components of the emerging cease-fire plan:

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

Once agreement is reached, Israel would unilaterally end its military operation, though it is unclear how quickly. Before stopping, it may opt to widen its ground offensive.