A top U.S. diplomat is in the Middle East to try to find a way to restart the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The visit, confirmed by an Israeli official, is Dennis Ross' first to the region since special Mideast envoy George Mitchell resigned last month after failing to break the negotiations' deadlock.

The Israeli official says Ross is accompanied by David Hale, who had served as Mitchell's deputy and is now acting Mideast envoy. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the visit was not announced.

The big challenge is to find a formula for talks that would entice the Palestinians to drop their bid to seek recognition for a state at the United Nations in September.

The Palestinians adopted that strategy in frustration over the deadlock.