US seeks to downplay seriousness of attacks over weekend as Palestinian officials arrive in Cairo for further peace talks

Middle East crisis – live updates

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he is committed to disarming Hamas and demilitarising the Gaza Strip during a speech before the Israeli Knesset on Monday, as Palestinian officials arrived in Cairo for further peace negotiations.

In his speech, Netanyahu said that the current deal provided for the return of all Israeli hostages, the Israeli military’s control over the majority of Gaza’s territory and an internationally backed consensus that Hamas would be disarmed.

He added that he expected to forge additional peace agreements in the region with the US president, Donald Trump.