Israel approved a major settlement project on Wednesday in an area of the occupied West Bank that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Israel gave final approval for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two, and that Palestinians and rights groups say could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state.

Israel gave final approval for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two. Palestinians and rights groups say it could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state.