Hamas leader heads to Egypt as intensive talks ongoing for new cease-fire deal: report

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, left, meets with Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Haniyeh later left Qatar for Egypt. (Iran's Foreign Ministry/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

The leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, Ismail Haniyeh, has headed to Egypt Wednesday as intensive talks are ongoing for another cease-fire and hostage release deal, a report says. 

Haniyeh, who normally lives in Qatar, last visited Egypt in early November prior to the announcement of the first cease-fire of the war, which saw the release of more than 100 hostages from Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel, according to Reuters. 

A source told Reuters that diplomats are discussing which hostages still being held by Hamas and which Palestinian prisoners could be released as part of a potential second cease-fire deal. 

The source added that negotiations, which also are focusing on delivery of aid to Gaza, are intensive and a breakthrough could be imminent. 

But one Palestinian official told Reuters that “Hamas's stance remains they don't have a desire for humanitarian pauses” and “Hamas wants a complete end to the Israeli war on Gaza.” 

"Haniyeh and Hamas always appreciate the Egyptian effort,” that official also said. “He is in Cairo today to listen to whether Israel has made new proposals or whether Cairo has some too. It is early to speak of expectations." 

A senior Israeli official said to Reuters that the war only will end with the release of all hostages and the total destruction of Hamas.