Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 23, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 23, 2024
Israeli delegation departs for Paris hostage talks, officials are cautiously optimistic – report
Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, left, with Mossad chief David Barnea at the annual IDF memorial ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War at Yad La-Shiryon, September 27, 2023. (Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)
The Israeli delegation headed to Paris for the high-level hostage talks departed for France a short while ago, Hebrew media reports ahead of the meetings set to take place later today.
According to the reports, the delegation is headed by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.
Speaking to Channel 12, an unnamed Israeli official said that there is “reason for optimism” ahead of the talks, but that the negotiations will be “arduous.”
