Peace talks will resume betweem the Palestinian and Israelis on August 14 in Jerusalem, the US State Deartment announced Thursday.
The announcement comes after the talks were kickstarted by the US after talks stalled between the two sides three years ago, AFP reported.
Top Palestinian and Israeli officials met in Washington after major efforts were exerted by US Secretary of State John Kerry to revive the talks, including multiple visits to the region.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters that US mediator Martin Indyk would be present for the next bout of talks, which will be followed by a meeting in Jericho, AFP reported
Psaki added that Kerry "does not expect to make any announcement in the aftermath of this round of talks."
During the press conference in which the date of the talks were announced, Psaki also expressed concern over reports that Israel is amping up its settlement activity despite it being illegal.
"Our position on settlements has not changed. We do not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement activity
and oppose any efforts to legitimize settlement outposts," Psaki said, according to AFP.
Jerusalem is a source of contention for both sides, as the Palestinians are seeking to make it their capital, and Israel will not relinquish its grip on the city, which has seen many attacks made on Muslim pilgrims by Orthodox Jewish settlers.
