Israel’s Defence Minister has called on world leaders to tighten sanctions on Iran before it enters a zone of immunity against its nuclear programme.

Israel’s defence minister Ehud Barak warns tougher sanctions are needed against Iran despite the unprecedented oil embargo agreed by the EU this week.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak broke away from his centre-left Labour Party on Monday.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday Israel would consider a limited moratorium on new construction in Jewish settlements.

Israel said on Monday it had approved construction of 50 new homes at a West Bank settlement as part of a plan for 1 450 housing units.

Israel carried out a test launch of its Arrow II interceptor missile on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud signed a coalition deal with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party on Monday, bringing the leader closer to forming a government.

Israeli leaders and military commanders deemed by Iran to be "war criminals" should be executed, a senior cleric said in a Friday prayer sermon.

Palestinian leaders were urging US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday to push Israel to freeze construction in West Bank settlements.

The Israeli president was to hold talks with party officials on Thursday and decide within four days who will be tasked with forming a new government.

Final results confirmed the Kadima party narrowly won the election but suggested Likud is better placed to form a government.

Israelis began voting on Tuesday in an election that pollsters say is too close to call, with right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hawkish frontrunner Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday vowed he would smash Hamas if he becomes Israel’s prime minister after next week’s elections.

Front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu has moved quickly to deflect allegations his victory could mean conflict with new US President Barack Obama.

Israeli leaders trying to find a knockout blow for Hamas militants defying a 17-day-old assault on Gaza have thrown army reservists into battle.

Israel pressed on with its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip for a fourth day on Tuesday despite new international calls for a ceasefire.

Israeli tanks and infantry battled Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in a ground offensive launched after eight days of deadly air strikes.

Israeli air strikes flattened Hamas government buildings in the Gaza Strip and targeted leaders of Gaza’s Islamist groups on Monday.

Israel launched air strikes on Gaza for a second successive day on Sunday, piling pressure on Hamas after 229 people were killed.

Violence flared around the Gaza Strip on Thursday on the eve of an expiry of a truce but Israel stressed it would not rush into military operations.