The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators has demanded that Israel "halt all settlement activity" in occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel's unveiling of plans to build 1,600 new homes in the West Bank sparked one of the worst rows between Israel and the US in many years.

PJ Crowley, a US State Department spokesperson, tells Al Jazeera that the US has "outlined some concerns to the Israelis" and is waiting for a response from the Israelis to see "what level of commitment Israel has to move forward" on Middle East talks.

The US-based Center for Constitutional Rights is petitioning various United Nations offices, of Palestinian families whose ancestors are buried in the Mamila Cemetery. The cemetery better known as Mamilla, has been a Muslim burial ground since the 7th century, when companions of the Prophet Muhammad were reputedly buried there.

Israel has been expanding illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land for decade, and it is now emerging just how far-reaching this policy is.

The US vice-president has concluded his visit to the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the West Bank with nothing to show for his efforts to reopen Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Amid an American diplomatic offensive comprising visits by the vice-president, Joe Biden, and the US Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to hold indirect negotiations after more than a year of deep freeze.