Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 17, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 17, 2024
PM’s office: Israeli negotiators ‘expressed cautious optimism’ about hostage deal
A woman and child walk through a replica of a tunnel used by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, ahead of a weekly protest by families of hostages to demand their release, in Tel Aviv on August 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the premier was briefed by the negotiating team on this week’s talks in Qatar, which “expressed cautious optimism regarding the possibility about advancing a deal.”
The statement says Netanyahu was updated about the US proposal to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas, “which contains components that are acceptable to Israel.”
“We must hope that the heavy pressure on Hamas from the United States and the mediators leads to the removal of its opposition to the American proposal, and allow for a breakthrough in the contacts,” the statement adds.
