GAZA, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Israel and Hamas have narrowed gaps over a longer-term truce in the Gaza Strip and could begin implementing a deal within days, Hamas said on Monday.

Egyptian-sponsored negotiations in Cairo have grown increasingly intense ahead of an Israeli election on Tuesday.

Senior Hamas leader Osama al-Muzaini told Reuters an 18-month ceasefire could be declared in "a few days", though he offered no details on how it would be implemented.

Egypt has proposed a staged process beginning with the declaration of a longer-term ceasefire, followed by a prisoner exchange deal, the opening of Gaza's border crossings and reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Adam Entous in Jerusalem; Editing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan)

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