Israel on Wednesday gave final approval for a long-disputed settlement project in the occupied West Bank, a move that Palestinians and rights groups warn could split the territory in two and deal a devastating blow to prospects for a future Palestinian state.

Israel has given final approval for a controversial settlement project that would effectively cut the occupied West Bank in two.

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.