New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- Israel faced growing international criticism for advancing a settlement plan in the controversial E1 area of the occupied West Bank earlier this week, which could split the territory and "bury" the possibility of a two-state solution.

According to the Times of Israel, both supporters and opponents say the move could mark the death knell for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by bisecting the West Bank and further preventing Palestinian territorial contiguity.

The two-state solution refers to a plan to create a Palestinian state separate from the state of Israel to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel's Housing Ministry issued a notice inviting bids for the construction of seven residenti...