The issue focused on that large area of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel controls as part of a future Palestinian state.

In one major development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "disappointed" at the recent release of 10 Israeli soldiers from an Israeli prison.

Mr Ban has called for the release of all prisoners in order to bring about an end to the military operation in Gaza.

There have been some changes to the conditions of the released soldiers,