Diplomats from the four sponsors of the 'road map' peace plan for the Middle East met in Jerusalem this morning to try to breathe new life into the process.
Diplomats from the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN were also discussing Israel's plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The road map, which aims to create a Palestinian state, has made virtually no progress since it was announced last year.
A planned news conference was cancelled with 'security reasons' quoted as the cause.
Seven killed in Gaza Strip, Nablus attacks
Earlier, Israeli troops killed two Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip who tried to attack their guardpost on the Kissufim road leading to the boundary with Israel.
Soldiers backed by tanks and helicopters also entered the Rafah refugee camp in another search for tunnels used to smuggle in weapons from Egypt.
And Israeli special forces backed by helicopter gunships killed four Palestinians in Nablus this morning, and one Israeli soldier died in return fire by militants.
Israeli commandos raided a residential building in the Ein Beit-Ilma refugee camp before dawn, killing two men from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The Israeli army said one of its officers was killed and three other soldiers injured in the exchange of fire.
The commandos are also said to have shot dead two neighbours, a Palestinian academic and his 16-year-old son, when they emerged from their apartment. At least four missiles were fired at the building.
Military sources said one of the militants, who survived the initial gunfight, had taken refuge in the neighbouring apartment, drawing Israeli fire.
