Israel approved three water projects in a controlled area in the West Bank more than one year after the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) made the request.

The projects will provide water supply system to three Palestinian villages located in Area C in the West Bank, where Israel retains security and administrative control.

In a statement, the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) said the projects are "important and vital," adding that they were funded by the governments of Japan and the United States.

Shadad al-Atili, the head of the PWA, said that a joint committee of Palestinian and Israeli officials met several times over a span of more than one year until the approval was obtained.

Water is one of the outstanding final-status issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The PWA says Israel did not meet its commitments in the water issue.

The PWA said it will continue its efforts to get approvals for more projects in coordination with Israel and the United States.