Market sources in Israel are optimistic about broader regional moves, including the possibility of renewed talks with Saudi Arabia, which could transform the Middle East. The shekel is strengthening and the stock market gains suggest hopes that go far beyond an end to the fighting in Gaza. In the past five trading days, while the US stock markets have been falling, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has risen on most days. The risks are still there despite recent good performance. The risk premium demanded by foreign investors on Israeli government bonds traded in dollars is still very high, on par with countries like Hungary or Peru.