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 said troops will remain in so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely. Israel Katz said Israeli forces "will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and (Israeli) communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza".