Israel gave final approval Wednesday 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 hopes for a future Palestinian state.

Israel on Wednesday granted final approval for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that critics say would sever Palestinian territorial continuity and effectively end prospects for a future Palestinian state.

An Israeli planning committee is set to debate approval of a highly contested settlement project in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, a move critics say could severely undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state.