Israel’s war cabinet voted on Thursday to dispatch a delegation to Paris on Friday for high-stakes talks on a hostage deal and accompanying truce in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The unconfirmed but widely reported decision likely signals that Israel believes progress on a so-far elusive deal is still possible, amid reports that the Hamas terror group could be willing to soften demands rejected by Jerusalem.

According to Channel 12 news, the war cabinet unanimously approved sending a team led by the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service to Paris for the talks over the weekend. Qatar, Egypt and the US are mediating a potential deal to free over 130 hostages Hamas is believed to be holding since its October 7 massacre in Israel.