Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to indirect peace talks, brokered by US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell, who is currently in Israel, met Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the last two days to raise the issue of restarting negotiations. He then met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this afternoon.
Israel and the Palestinians are expected to conduct four months of negotiations through a US mediator, which will focus on security issues and borders of a potential future Palestinian state.
Mr Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak have expressed their hope that the negotiations will lead to face-to-face talks. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the Arab League have also backed the talks.
