Archive · 1 Sep 2025
West Bank Palestinians Face Severe Water Shortages Amid Settler Violence
Imagine people in the West Bank are having trouble getting water, like when your tap runs dry.
Some people are attacking the places where they get water.
These attackers are Jewish settlers, and they damage things like water wells and pipes.
The United Nations says these attacks are against the law.
The people who live there are now forced to get water from public taps, and some must pay to have water brought in trucks.
Some fear that these attacks are designed to push them off their land.
The Israeli military acknowledges receiving reports of infrastructure damage but has not identified suspects.
Palestinians in the West Bank are experiencing severe water shortages.
Water shortages are reportedly due to increasing attacks on water sources by Jewish settlers.
The United Nations recorded 62 incidents of settler vandalism in the first six months of the year.
Settlers have targeted water wells, pipelines, and the Ein Samiya spring.
Palestinians rely on costly water deliveries to cope with the water crisis.
- Who
- Palestinians and Jewish settlers
- What
- Severe water shortages due to attacks on water infrastructure.
- When
- Ongoing, with increased incidents since October 7, 2023.
- Where
- Israeli-occupied West Bank, particularly in Ramallah and surrounding areas.
- Why
- Attacks on water sources are allegedly to drive Palestinians from their land.
Palestinians
Israeli Government
Water Access
Palestinians
Palestinians claim chronic water shortages and restricted access due to discriminatory policies and settler actions.
Israeli Government
Israeli government states that the Palestinian Authority is responsible for supplying water and blames any shortages on water theft by Palestinians.
Settler Violence
Palestinians
Palestinians report escalating violence and intimidation from extremist settlers.
Israeli Government
Israeli military acknowledges reports of damage to infrastructure and is taking action to prevent further harm.
- Location
- Israeli-occupied West Bank
- Cause of Shortages
- Attacks on water sources by extremist Jewish settlers
- Incidents of Vandalism
- 62 incidents recorded in the first six months of the year
- Targeted Infrastructure
- Water wells, pipelines, irrigation networks, and the Ein Samiya spring
- Year-on-year increase in settler incidents
- 16%