One-year-old conjoined twins have been separated in a successful surgery in Israel.

The two twin girls, who were joined at the back of the head, were separated in a rare surgery lasting 12 hours which allowed the siblings to see each other for the first time.

The procedure took place at Soroka Medical Centre in Be’er Sheva and included cranial reconstruction and scalp grafts which came after months of planning.

Dozens of experts from Israel and abroad were involved in the operation.

The girls, who have not been named, are said to be recovering well