With the Palestinians seeking to bring negotiations with Israel to a head, France has sought to insert itself as a moderating force that can break American dominance over the peace process.

"If there is a moment when France can do something, it's now," said Hasni Abidi, a Middle East expert based in Geneva.

Luxembourg's parliament voted Wednesday to urge the government to recognize a Palestinian state -- the latest in a series of similar moves around Europe aimed at pressuring Israel to move forward the peace process.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state "in principle" on Wednesday, following a series of votes on the issue in EU nations that have enraged Israel.

The Palestinians pressed ahead on Wednesday with a U.N. draft resolution that would set a course toward statehood, ratcheting up pressure on the United States and Israel to join a renewed peace effort.

The Palestinian move at the United Nations came as the European parliament overwhelmingly backed recognition of a Palestinian state, the latest assembly in Europe to adopt a motion to that end.

The Palestinians told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday they will submit a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council even though he warned of a veto, a Palestinian official said.

The official said Kerry was told they would submit the text as planned on Wednesday calling for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied Palestinian territory within two years.

A Palestinian was killed overnight during an Israeli military operation in the Qalandiya refugee camp near Ramallah in the West Bank, medical and security sources said Tuesday.

The 22-year-old man was killed when troops entered the camp to make an arrest, triggering clashes with residents, the sources said. 

The Palestinians are to present a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council Wednesday that would set a two-year deadline for Israel to end its occupation, an official said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected talk of Israel withdrawing from east Jerusalem and the West Bank within two years, on the eve of a meeting with the top U.S. diplomat.

"We... stand against the possibility of a diplomatic assault, that is an attempt to compel us by means of U.N. decisions to withdraw to the 1967 lines within two years," said Netanyahu.

The U.N. Security Council called for a speedy and transparent investigation after a senior Palestinian official died during a confrontation with Israeli soldiers.

The Palestinian leadership has blamed Israel for "killing" 55-year-old Ziad Abu Ein on Wednesday, which came during an anti-settlements protest march by roughly 300 Palestinians who intended to plant olive trees as a symbolic act.

An explosion occurred outside the French cultural center in Gaza City on Friday night, but caused no casualties, an Agence France-Presse photographer said.