Israel’s security cabinet on July 2 approved a plan to establish 13 illegal new settlements in the central occupied West Bank, prompting Palestinian officials to warn that the move would further fragment the territory and isolate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.

During its term, Israel's government has approved the establishment and legalization of dozens of strategically placed settlements across the West Bank. The goal: to create…

Palestinian officials warn against the implications of the plan, saying it would further isolate East Jerusalem.