The Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority have announced a joint commitment to take immediate steps to end a surge in violence.
The move has emerged from rare talks in Jordan, also attended by US and Egyptian officials.
The meeting agreed to support confidence-building steps and “to work towards a just and lasting peace”.
As the talks took place, a Palestinian gunman shot dead two Israelis in the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s government described the killings as “a Palestinian terror attack” and its military said it was pursuing the gunman.
The summit in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba was called following a recent rise in deadly violence that has stoked fears of a wider conflict.
It brought together Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs for the first time in many years. The US president’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, was also present.
The first point of the summit’s communique read: “The two sides [Palestinian and Israeli] affirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them, and to work towards a just and lasting peace.
“They reaffirmed the necessity of committing to de-escalation on the ground and to prevent further violence.”
According to the statement, Israel made a commitment to stop discussing new settlement building for four months. In return, it is understood the Palestinians will not take action against Israel at the UN.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he “welcomed” the commitments made by both sides, adding that more work is needed in coming months “to build a stable and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians alike”.
But Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich – the leader of the far-fight grouping in Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition – said “there will not be a freeze on construction and development in the settlement, not even for one day”. He added that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will “continue to act to counter terrorism” without limitations.
Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the Palestinian Authority (PA) for taking part in what they called “worthless” talks.
The attack on two Israelis at Hawara in the West Bank on Sunday has underlined the lack of influence the PA has over armed groups and lone wolf attackers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, which took place near Nablus, on a busy road which often sees friction between Palestinians and settlers. (BBC)