Middle East peace talks see new optimism

US, Israeli and Palestinian sides come back to the table

WASHINGTON - United States, Israeli and Palestinian officials are hopeful they can break an impasse that has threatened to kill new US-brokered Middle East peace talks before they really begin.

A US official close to the negotiations said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems likely to cut a deal to keep the talks going. Palestinian officials said much the same, and Israeli officials said Netanyahu does not want talks to founder.