Blinken meets Palestinian leaders in bid to restore calm

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has criticised Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank as an obstacle to peace.

The comments came following talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Blinken's visit comes in the wake of spiralling tensions after a spate of deadly attacks and a military raid.

Antony Blinken spoke of a "shrinking horizon of hope for the Palestinians'', which, he said, needed to change. He affirmed Washington's backing for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict - an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel - saying it opposed actions by either side that would make this more difficult.

"We've been clear that this includes things like settlement expansion, the legalisation of outposts, demolitions and evictions, disruptions to the historic status of the holy sites, and of course incitement and acquiescence to violence."

Mahmud Abbas blames Israel for "what is happening today, because of its practices that undermine the two-state solution and violate the signed agreements".

On relations with Washington, Abbas said he was willing to "work with the United States and other countries to renew the political dialogue", but also criticised the international community for failing to act in the face of "Israel's unilateral measures".