West Bank Palestine Water: A Crisis of Survival

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  The Pakistan Times | Islamabad Times


The fertile valleys of the West Bank, once called Palestine's "breadbasket," are now suffering from a different kind of war. This war is not fought with bullets and bombs, but with water pipes, wells, and irrigation systems. Palestinian authorities and human rights organizations say Israel is using water as a weapon to force Palestinians off their land.


According to local farmers and official reports, the Israeli army has begun constructing a 22-kilometer military road called the "Crimson Thread" east of Tubas. This project has destroyed key water pipelines and cut off farmers from their lands. Farmers say the army has uprooted their water pipes and blocked access routes. One farmer, Lutfi Bani Ouda, said, "We are suffering the most from water scarcity," adding that their livestock are dying of thirst.


This situation is not limited to one area. Thousands of residents in villages northwest of Nablus are facing severe water shortages, with some areas not receiving water for ten days. Residents are forced to buy expensive water from tankers, while children and the elderly wait for hours just to quench their thirst.


The Israeli company Mekorot has been accused of reducing water supply to Palestinian areas to meet the growing needs of Israeli settlers. According to the United Nations, Israel controls 80 to 84 percent of the West Bank's water resources, while Palestinians receive only 70 liters per person per day, compared to over 300 liters for settlers. Only 36 percent of Palestinians receive water daily, while 92 percent are forced to store water in rooftop tanks.


The UN Secretary-General has warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank, including control over water, are eroding the prospects of a two-state solution. In 2004, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Israeli settlements and related measures in the West Bank violate international law.


This situation is not just a humanitarian crisis but a fight for survival for Palestinians, who are desperate for every drop of water to stay on their land.


Copyright 2026 Pakistan Times. All rights reserved.

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