Israel’s defence minister has said troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely. The remarks by Israel Katz could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release.

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.