Vance, along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are in Israel for high-level meetings, as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues. Both sides have accused the other of violations. Israel has said Hamas is delaying return of some hostage remains, a claim Hamas has denied.

Israel has received two bodies that Hamas says are two more deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu warned Hamas that any attacks against Israeli forces would be met with “a very heavy price”.

Israel, having banned the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees from sending aid and staff to Gaza, is now taking unprecedented steps to de-register major nongovernmental aid groups for ...