Israeli negotiators attending ceasefire and hostage release talks in Doha have expressed “cautious optimism,” even as some gaps between both sides persist, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Spy agency director David Barnea’s presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved.

Afterward, the prime minister's office announced that he sent Mossad chief David Barnea to ceasefire talks in Qatar.Israel will send a delegation led by the head of its spy agency, Mossad, to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar,