An Israel Defense Ministry planning committee gave approval Wednesday to a controversial settlement plan that would effectively split the West Bank in two.

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.

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",