JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A widely condemned Israeli settlement plan that would cut across land which the Palestinians seek for a state received final approval on Wednesday, according to a statement from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The long-stalled project near Jerusalem, known as E1, further fragments West Bank lands envisioned as part of a Palestinian state, advancing a goal of Israeli hard-liners.

Israel has given final approval to expand a massive settlement project known as E1, that will effectively slice the occupied West Bank in half. It’s been widely condemned by countries such as Britain,

Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state came after the government sensed a major shift in the domestic mood over the war in Gaza, and showed that Canberra was unafraid of upsetting Israel,

Israel launches airstrike on Gaza, forcing Palestinians to flee

This move comes amid international concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many residents are displaced and facing famine.