Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, November 2, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Israeli official says Jerusalem ‘pessimistic’ on chances of closing hostage deal — report
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Demonstrators hold placards and wave Israeli flags during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive since Hamas's October 7, 2023, massacre, Tel Aviv, November 2, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP)
Israel is “pessimistic” about the chances of reaching a hostage deal, Ynet reports, citing an Israeli official.
“Hamas insists on a complete end to the war and is therefore not ready for small deals,” says the official. “This is not going in a good direction. The mediators have not yet returned with an official answer so that the talks do not collapse completely.”
The outlet cites another source who says, “The chance seems very small.”
Additionally, adds Ynet, Israel believes that it will face intense pressure to end the war in Gaza no matter who wins the US elections this week.
