The talks, hosted by Hillary Clinton at the US State Department, are the first such negotiations in 20 months.
Continue reading the main story
Israel and the Palestinians

* Mid-East talks: Where they stand
* Q&A: Resuming direct talks
* History of failed peace talks
* Jerusalem house-by-house fight

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama held separate White House meetings with the leaders, urging them not to let the chance of permanent peace "slip away".

The push for a deal comes amid fresh violence in the West Bank.

On Wednesday, an Israeli man and woman were shot and injured when the car they were travelling in came under fire from another vehicle near the Jewish settlement of Kochav Hashachar, to the east of Ramallah.

The man is in a serious condition in hospital, Israeli officials have said.

The attack came less than 24 hours after another West Bank shooting in which four Israelis were killed.

The militant wing of the Islamist group Hamas has claimed responsibility for both attacks.