Israeli settlers have seized control of water resources in parts of the occupied West Bank, disrupting Palestinian farming and access to water, according to Palestinian residents and United Nations data.
In the Jordan Valley village of Fasayil, settlers in June took control of an irrigation pipeline supplying a spring that Palestinian farmers had relied on for generations. The water was diverted to an ancient pool at an archaeological site, which was subsequently promoted as an Israeli tourist attraction.
Farmer Saad Nemer told Reuters the loss of water had prevented him from planting crops including eggplant, zucchini and watermelons. He said an employee had been beaten by settlers and that he had received threats when attempting to approach the spring.
UN data shows Israeli settlers have attacked at least 160 water and sanitation sites across the West Bank this year. Palestinian field researcher Fares Foqahaa estimated that settlers had taken control of 95% of springs in the northern Jordan Valley.
In Qusra, another West Bank village, settlers were also reported to have cut water and electricity supplies to three homes that remained under siege.
Adel Yassin, an official with the Palestinian Authority's water authority, described the targeting of water resources as a systematic effort to make Palestinian communities unable to remain on their land.
The water seizure in Fasayil has also raised concerns over the archaeological site. Settlers have claimed the pool belonged to the biblical-era Jewish king Herod, while Israeli archaeologist Alon Arad said its origins were unclear. He accused settlers of damaging the site by filling it with water.
A billboard near the pool advertised a 3 million shekel ($1 million) investment from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for the restoration and development of "Herod's Pools". Smotrich and the Israeli military agency COGAT did not respond to requests for comment.
The United Nations and most governments consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Israel disputes this position and considers the territory disputed.
Residents near natural springs in Wadi al-Badhan, close to Nablus, have also reported increased settler presence, saying visitors now fear returning to the area.