Arriving at the Ramallah compound of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the normally stern 76-year-old envoy, who has repeatedly heard “no” from both sides, paused for the television cameras and waved, wearing a broad smile. Mitchell was due to meet Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu later.

US President Barack Obama has said he wants direct talks to resume by September before a partial moratorium on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank is set to expire, with possibly dire consequences for the process.

Abbas hinted on Monday that he might soon bow to international pressure, end the impasse and resume direct negotiations for the first time in almost two years.