Israel is moving ahead with plans to build over 4,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank’s E1 area, linking Ma’ale Adumim to Jerusalem and effectively splitting the West Bank. This move faces strong international criticism, seen as a major blow to the two-state solution, according to Al Jazeera.

The expansion would take more than 1,200 hectares of Palestinian land and restrict access, deepening concerns that Israel aims to fragment Palestinian territories and block a viable Palestinian state. Germany and others have condemned the plan, warning it threatens long-term peace prospects.