Israel gave final approval for a settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two, which Palestinians say could dash hopes for a future Palestinian state.

L ONDON -- A controversial Israeli settlement plan that would effectively split the West Bank in two is gaining momentum after a key government committee -- the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration under the Defense Ministry -- gave its approval.

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.Guterres repeated a call for Israel to "immediately halt all settlement activity",