Israel, Palestinians meet in D.C. to shape peace talks US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) announces the resumption of peace talks to be headed by former American Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, (L), between Israel and the Palestinian Authority during a briefing at the State Department, July 29, 2013, in Washington, DC. Kerry will be meeting later in the evening with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat in an attempt to lay the ground work for progress in the Middle East. WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- The resumption to face-to-face discussions between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington brought praise from U.S. President Obama Monday. Obama said in a statement issued by the White House that the arrival of senior negotiating teams in Washington for the first round of meetings aimed at eventually arriving at a peace agreement "is a promising step forward, though hard work and hard choices remain ahead." Obama said he had "experienced first-hand the profound desire for peace among both Israelis and Palestinians" when he visited the region in March. "The most difficult work of these negotiations is ahead, and I am hopeful that both the Israelis and Palestinians will approach these talks in good faith and with sustained focus and determination," Obama said. The United States stands ready to support them throughout these negotiations, with the goal of achieving two states, living side by side in peace and security. The negotiators for the two sides are laying the groundwork for the first formal peace negotiations in three years, the State Department said. The resumption of direct talks came with a steep and emotional price for Israeli leaders. The Israeli Cabinet voted to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, many who were convicted of killing Israelis, a deeply controversial decision particularly among relatives of those killed by Palestinian bombings. Israel is represented in the preliminary stages by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu special envoy Isaac Molho. They both arrived in Washington Monday. The sides were to meet Monday evening at an Iftar dinner, the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk has been appointed the U.S. special envoy to oversee the talks, CNN reported. Upon being appointed to oversee the talks, Indyk recalled a computer screensaver his son made that asked a simple question: "Dad, is there peace in the Middle East yet?" "For 15 years, I've only been able to answer him, 'Not yet,'" Indyk told reporters. He expressed hope the newest round of talks would make progress. After more than 5 hours of deliberations Sunday, 13 ministers voted in favor of the release, seven opposed it and two abstained.