by KYW's middle east bureau chief Jay Bushinsky

A ceasefire that would halt the firing of Palestinian missiles into Israel in exchange for a suspension of Israeli air strikes in retaliation for those attacks is being proposed by an Egyptian envoy.

Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, has agreed to the terms, but the Israelis have been awaiting details from their Egyptian guest. Of uppermost concern here is whether they will include the release of sergeant Gilad Shalit who was abducted by Hamas gunmen and held by them for the past two years.

Some senior government officials and military commanders contend that there can be no deal if Shalit is not set free.