Israel says it plans to return to negotiations with the United States sooner than expected, a possible sign of movement in talks on West Bank settlements.

The government said its envoys would return to Washington in the next few days, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The administration of President Barack Obama has asked the Israelis to suspend expansion of Jewish settlements. Those involved in the talks on both sides have said there has been some movement toward a halt for a limited period with work allowed to continue where construction has already started.

Yitzhak Molcho, an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Michael Herzog, the Defense Ministry chief of staff, spent three days in Washington this week. They originally planned a one-day visit for a meeting with George Mitchell, Obama's special envoy to the Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to prepare an assessment for Obama after the next round of talks.