United States President Donald Trump has recognised the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, a week after signalling the dramatic reversal of more than half a century of American foreign policy.

Key points: Mr Netanyahu had pressed Mr Trump for the move ahead of Israel's election

Mr Netanyahu had pressed Mr Trump for the move ahead of Israel's election Syria continues to demand the return of the Golan territory from Israel

Syria continues to demand the return of the Golan territory from Israel Mr Netanyahu cut short his US visit after a rocket attack on Israel from Gaza

Mr Trump also said any future Middle East peace deal must account for Israel's right to self-defence, comments that came shortly after Israel began bombing Gaza in retaliation for a rocket attack.

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During a White House visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Trump signed a proclamation officially granting US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.

Israel seized the strategic land in the 1967 Middle East war from Syria, which continues to demand its return.

The recognition, which Mr Trump first announced in a tweet last week, appeared to be the most overt gesture by the Republican President to help Mr Netanyahu in his bid for re-election on April 9.

"This was a long time in the making," Mr Trump said of the proclamation.

He handed the pen that he used for his signature to Mr Netanyahu, and said: "Give this to the people of Israel."

Mr Netanyahu welcomed Mr Trump's move and said Israel has never had a better friend.

He harked back to two previous Middle Eastern wars as the reason why Israel needs to hang on to the area.

"Just as Israel stood tall in 1967, just as it stood tall in 1973, Israel stands tall today. We hold the high ground and we should never give it up," he said.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who had been pressing Mr Trump for the move, cut short his US visit after a rocket fired from Gaza injured seven people near Tel Aviv.

Police officers inspect the damage to a house in central Israel hit by an early morning rocket from the Gaza Strip. ( AP: Ariel Schalit )

The rocket struck a home in the village of Mishmeret in central Israel.

Mr Netanyahu described it as a "criminal attack" and pledged to strike back hard, with the military also confirming it had started bombing targets in the Gaza Strip.

"As we speak," he said at the White House, "Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression".

Hamas's leader said his group would respond if Israel retaliated too forcefully.

Ismail Haniyeh said in a written statement that the Palestinian people "will not surrender" and Hamas's militant factions "will deter the enemy if it exceeds the red lines".

Reuters/AP