TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — 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 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.

If implemented, it would divide a Palestinian state in two, mark a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution,' says Foreign Secretary David Lammy - Anadolu A