Israel is resuming plans to build in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank — a move that would sever the north from the south, Al Jazeera reports, citing Israeli news outlet Haaretz.

The Higher Planning Committee in the Civil Administration is scheduled to discuss the project on August 6, marking the first time the proposal has advanced since 2021.

Opponents — including Palestinians living in the area and groups such as Peace Now, Ir Amim, and the Association for Environmental Justice — were summoned last week to present their objections.

The construction threatens remaining land reserves around Ramallah, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, critics said.

According to Haaretz, the plan involves the construction of 3,412 housing units across 12 square kilometres, north and west of the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, which is illegal under international law.

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