TEL AVIV, April 25, 2010(WAFA)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, briefed at  the cabinet the meetings with U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell, Sunday, that “We will know in the coming days whether the process will get under way. I hope that it will indeed get under way,” daily Haaretz Said.

Netanyahu in his briefing about his meetings with U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell, said “it would soon become clear whether Middle East peace talks, suspended since December 2008, would resume.”

Addressing the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said, 'We will know in the coming days whether the process will get under way. I hope that it will indeed get under way,' he said in public remarks at the cabinet session.

In a statement summing up his visit, Mitchell said he held 'positive and productive talks' with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an effort 'to improve the atmosphere for peace and for proceeding with proximity talks', a reference to indirect, U.S.-mediated negotiations.

Mitchell is expected back in the region next week.

Netanyahu has given no ground publicly over U.S. and Palestinian calls to halt the construction of settlements in East Jerusalem, an issue that has driven a wedge between Israel and the United States.

Mitchell said in the statement that his deputy, David Hale, would remain behind to work with the parties this week to prepare for his return to the region next week.