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Middle East peace talks have resumed after Israeli and Palestinian negotiators dined in Washington DC with US Secretary of State John Kerry, BBC reported. 

Mr Kerry said it was a "very, very special" moment, as they broke the traditional Muslim fast for Ramadan.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama welcomed the discussions but cautioned that "hard choices" lay ahead.

The talks resumed after three years as Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.

The releases, which split the Israeli cabinet, are to take place in stages over several months.

In the last five months, Mr Kerry has made six official visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart the negotiations.

At the table on Monday evening at the US state department in Washington DC, Mr Kerry said it was "wonderful" the delegations had gathered in the US capital.

He said it was "very, very special", and quipped that they had "not very much to talk about at all."

At a press conference in Washington DC on Monday, Mr Kerry urged both sides to make "reasonable compromises" for peace.

"I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse," he said.