A peace deal detailing a “firm timeline” for a Palestinian state is being prepared by the US and several Arab partners and could be unveiled in a matter of weeks, according to reports.

A six week pause to fighting could soon be put in action and an interim Palestinian government formed if the plans are followed, the Washington Post reported.

The Post quoted US and Arab officials who said that reaching a ceasefire agreement would be the key to launching the plan.

But the report noted that Israel has previously refused some of the steps included and that it is unlikely these will be approved by the government.

The previously rejected steps include the evacuation of many West Bank settlements, a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem and combined security and governments for the West Bank and Gaza.

The report added that officials hope Israel could be persuaded by security guarantees and normalisation with Arab states including Saudi Arabia.