JERUSALEM — Israel approved 284 new illegal housing units in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, drawing a U.S. accusation that its policies could expand settlements in a “potentially unlimited way.”

U.S. officials said the criticism from the U.S. State Department marked the first time it has suggested in public that Israel may be moving toward unlimited settlement expansion on land the Palestinians seek to establish their own state.

The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the latest language was unusually strong but reflected a change in tone rather than any major shift in U.S. policy.

U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014 and there are no signs that they will resume any time soon.

In addition, 179 building permits were issued retroactively, legalizing under Israeli law housing units that were erected in the settlement of Ofarim, Peace Now said.

“We are deeply concerned by the government’s announcement to advance plans for these settlement units in the West Bank,” U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a news briefing in Washington.

The Civil Administration decision came two days after a senior U.N. envoy said in a statement to the U.N. Security Council that a surge in such building presented an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.