The Palestinians seek an independent state in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. A two-state solution is widely seen internationally as the only way to resolve the conflict, but the last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.

Israel has also refused to withdraw from some areas in Lebanon following a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group last year, and it seized a buffer zone in southern Syria after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad in December.

Israel’s Defence Minister has confirmed troops will remain indefinitely in what it has called buffer zones across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, even if a ceasefire returns. His pledge has followed an intense day of air strikes that has killed at least 35 people.