Shimon Peres (file)
Shimon Peres (file)Flash90

The office of 9th President Shimon Peres and the Sheba hospital released on update on Peres' condition Thursday morning, saying there is improvement.

"The condition of the Ninth President of Israel Shimon Peres is stable today, and there is a small improvement in his respiration. His vital signs are stable and the medical staff is continuing neurological and general treatment according to Peres' condition," the statement read.

Peres was rushed to the Sheba hospital in the Tel Hashomer complex last week after he'd suffered a stroke. He's been hospitalized in the ICU ever since with his condition termed as "serious but stable."

Last Saturday night, current President Reuven Rivlin visited Peres in the hospital.

Rivlin was briefed on Peres' condition in detail and met the doctors who are treating him. The President hugged Peres' son and daughter Hemi and Tzviya, and had a lengthy conversation with longtime members of Peres' office staff.

In a statement to the media, Rivlin said: "In the Shabbat that just ended prayers were said around the world for the recovery of Shimon Peres. He is so present in public life and does everything for the people and for me, who succeeded him in the office.

"We all hope and pray for an outcome in which we see the 9th President recover. We pray that we'll see the brave warrior Shimon Peres victorious in this fight," President Rivlin added.