Olmert held another round of negotiations earlier in the day with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to discuss issues relating to a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference due to take place in Annapolis, Maryland before the end of the year.
Negotiations on a peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians were resumed when Abbas broke with Hamas following the Islamists' takeover of the Gaza Strip in June, leaving Abbas and his Fatah forces in control of only the West Bank.
Though bilateral groups of negotiators have already held four meetings behind closed doors, the parties have not reportedly reached a mutual understanding on a peace accord.
The United States has encouraged Arab states to attend the Annapolis conference, but many of the countries remain skeptical, and have demanded clearer details of the conference goals.
Olmert earlier said he regarded the meeting as a sign of international support for talks on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Speaking at a joint press-conference with Abbas in Ramallah, West Bank on October 15, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to settle their differences and reach a solution over Palestinian nationhood.
"Frankly, it's time for the establishment of a Palestinian state," the U.S. Secretary of State announced.
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved a set of sanctions against the Gaza Strip, where militants continue to fire rockets into Israel. The measures include cuts in electricity and fuel supplies. Power is to be temporarily shut down immediately after any rocket attacks.
Palestinian radio said earlier in the day that at least six Palestinian gunmen were killed and a dozen wounded in Israeli air strikes and troops clashes in Gaza.
