Israel is poised to approve a highly controversial settlement expansion in the West Bank, which critics argue could severely undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state. The plan, spearheaded by far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, includes over 3,400 new housing units and aims to split the West Bank in two. Advocacy groups and international voices are denouncing the settlement initiatives, warning they could lead to increased violence and further entrench the Israeli occupation. This move has raised alarm regarding the future of the two-state solution, with many asserting that the announcements are tantamount to burying any hopes of Palestinian statehood.