Israel, Palestinians Peace Talks Resumed in Jerusalem

Israel and the Palestinian Governments resumed their first direct peace talks in Jerusalem on 14 August 2013 after a three-year of gap for resolving the land and border disputes.
 
The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, made the release of 104 prisoners a condition for resuming the talks. In response Israel government on 13 August 2013 released 26 long-term Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal to reopen negotiations.

The Palestinian team leaders Saeb Erekat and Muhammed Shtayyeh and Israeli team leaders Tzipi Livni and Isaac Molcho are participating in the present peace talks.

US Middle East Peace Envoy Martin Indyk and his deputy, Frank Lowenstein are participating as US mediators in the talks.
The Key issues in the talks are Status of Jerusalem, borders, security arrangements, settlements and possible land swaps, Palestinian refugees, recognition of Israel.

Israel and the Palestinians returned to the negotiating table on 30 July 2013 in Washington after US mediation. They agreed to work towards an agreement within nine months for a two-state solution to end their decades-long conflict.
The last round of direct peace negotiations collapsed in September 2010 because Israel refused to stop constructing settler homes on occupied Palestinian land.

The Palestinians want their state to include land captured by Israel in 1967, but some 500000 Israelis now live in settlements built on the occupied territories. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.