Ramallah: Illegal Israeli settlers destroyed water wells in a Palestinian town in the West Bank, escalating tensions in the occupied territory, a local non-government organization reported on Monday. Armed settlers targeted the Ein Samiya wells in Ramallah, located in the central West Bank, on Sunday night. This assault has resulted in a complete halt of access to these crucial water sources, according to a statement from the Jerusalem Water Undertaking.
According to Anadolu Agency, the destroyed wells were the sole source of water for numerous Palestinian villages in the area. The organization has issued a warning that the entire region may face a severe water crisis if no action is taken to stop the attacks by Israeli settlers. Since the 1960s, six wells in Kafr Malik's Ein Samiya have been providing water to most eastern Ramallah towns in the central occupied West Bank.
Palestinian figures indicate that approximately 770,000 illegal settlers reside in 180 illegal settlements and 256 illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian authorities have documented at least 2,153 illegal settler attacks in the occupied territory during the first half of this year alone, which have resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians.
On Sunday, dozens of illegal Israeli settlers from the far-right Tzav 9 group obstructed hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip from Jordan, as reported by the Israel Hayom newspaper. The settlers chanted, "No aid to Gaza until the last hostage returns." Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza were also present at the Allenby Bridge, the only official border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan.
Israeli estimates suggest that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, more than 10,800 Palestinians are detained in Israeli prisons, where they face harsh conditions, including torture, starvation, and medical neglect, leading to multiple deaths, according to Israeli and Palestinian rights groups and media outlets.
Indirect negotiations are currently taking place in Doha, Qatar, between Israel and Hamas to finalize a deal involving a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 58,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave, leading to food shortages and the spread of disease.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.