Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will not cede any territory, seemingly ruling out the establishment of a Palestinian state and the prospect of reviving peace efforts if he is re-elected.
Netanyahu's comments, which come as he seeks to appeal to hard-liners ahead of next week's national elections, reject a key goal of the international community.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any evacuated territory would fall into the hands of Islamic extremism and terror organisations supported by Iran. Therefore, there will be no concessions and no withdrawals. It is simply irrelevant," read a statement by his Likud party.
Netanyahu's office said the statement reflected the prime minister's long-held position.
The international community has long pushed for the creation of a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967.
In 1993, Israel and the Palestinians signed an interim agreement that was to lead to the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Numerous rounds of peace negotiations have been held since then, with the most recent talks breaking down last year.
Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Netanyahu was using regional strife as an excuse.
"Today Netanyahu revealed his true face," Erekat said.
"Since 1993, he worked hard for the destruction of the option of peace and the option of a two-state solution."
Ahead of national elections, centrist and leftist political parties in Israel have said they support the resumption of peace efforts with the Palestinians.
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