Israel-Hamas conflict: Hamas chief to visit Egypt for Gaza ceasefire talks today 

Israel-Hamas conflict: Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh will embark on his visit to Egypt today (December 20) seeking progress on a Gaza ceasefire and hostages swap with Israel.

According to the sources, the Islamist group's Doha-based leader will lead a "high-level" delegation for talks with Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamel on Wednesday.

What are key discussions to be held?

Citing a Hamas source, the media reported that the discussions will cover "stopping the aggression and the war" plus an "agreement for the release of prisoners" and ending Gaza's blockade.

Under a short-lived ceasefire last month, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with US backing, Israel freed 80 hostages in return for 240 Palestinians from its jails.

According to the Hamas source, Haniyeh’s delegation will now push for further humanitarian aid into Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced civilians.

How many people lost their lives in Israel-Hamas conflict? 

It follows an earlier trip by the Hamas chief in early November after fighting erupted on October 7. Over 19,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have since died in Israel’s bombardment and ground offensive on Gaza. Hamas militants killed around 1,140 people in Israel at the conflict’s start, mostly civilians.

Israel believes hundreds of its citizens remain hostage in Gaza after being abducted during the surprise and unprecedented attack on October 7. Anger and pressure from families have intensified after Israeli soldiers accidentally killed three escaped hostages last week.

What is Netayanhu's stance? 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists recovering all captives is now his top priority. “Saving them is a supreme task,” he told relatives on Tuesday, saying he had twice dispatched Mossad spy chief David Barnea to Europe to advance negotiations.

US media reports a potential new hostage swap deal was discussed by Barnea with Qatar's premier, the CIA director and Egypt, which is mediating talks. Hamas seeks the release of further Palestinians from Israeli jails in any exchange agreement.

With ceasefire efforts ongoing, Hamas delegation leader Haniyeh will urge Egyptian officials to support the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the return of displaced civilians. Qatar helped broker the last short-term truce deal. But a lasting peace remains elusive over two months since the deadliest violence in years erupted.