FACTBOX- Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks

(Reuters) - Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip appeared to make some progress on Wednesday, but differences remained over the fineprint.

Arab and Western diplomats said the sides were at odds over how long a proposed truce would last. Other sticking points include what specific steps Egypt would take to control its border with Gaza and how quickly Israel would withdraw its forces and reopen Gaza's border crossings.

SIGNS OF PROGRESS

A senior Israeli official said Egypt was pushing for agreement on a cease-fire "by the weekend." But the official said Israeli leaders were non-committal about that timetable.

The official said "progress" was being made in negotiations with Cairo and international powers on new security arrangements along Gaza's border with Egypt to prevent Hamas from rearming, Israel's chief demand. He gave no details.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier returns to the Middle East on Thursday to try to hammer out some of the security assurances, diplomats said.

Germany was prepared to provide training, know-how and equipment to Egyptian forces to stop Hamas arms smuggling. Israeli officials said they were also discussing a naval monitoring force with the Germans.

Senior Israeli defence official Amos Gilad will travel to Cairo on Thursday to discuss border security issues.

Hamas initially rebuffed the Egyptian cease-fire proposal, but officials said progress was being made on most of the outstanding issues. Hamas said it gave Egypt its views on the plan but did not disclose those views publicly.