Escalation of Settler Attacks in the West Bank: Siege and Destruction of Water Networks in the Jordan Valley

Groups of settlers escalated their systematic attacks against Palestinian citizens in the northern Jordan Valley and various governorates of the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem early Wednesday morning. These attacks occur under the direct protection of the Israeli occupation army, with operations focused in the areas of East Atouf and Ras al-Ahmar, as part of plans aimed at the forced displacement of residents and the seizure of their lands and properties.

In a dangerous field development in the Jordan Valley, settler groups permanently closed the road leading to the 'Ras al-Ahmar' residential cluster, isolating and besieging 38 Palestinian families with their livestock. These measures prevented the delivery of water, food, and fodder to those besieged, in a step aimed at restricting livelihoods and forcing residents to leave the area.

The siege was accompanied by widespread destruction of vital infrastructure, as settlers sabotaged the main water pipeline leading to the cluster, causing a complete water cutoff and damaging vast agricultural areas planted with bananas and other crops. The destruction also affected water networks in the 'Al-Mi'yar' area and east of 'Aqaba' village, including revenue meters belonging to citizens.

In a related context, settler gangs stormed the 'Samra' residential cluster in the Jordan Valley, carrying out provocations and acts of hooliganism against unarmed residents. Field sources reported that settlers attempted to steal property and livestock at gunpoint, causing panic among women and children, amid the continued policy of intimidation against pastoral communities.

In the Ramallah governorate, settlers launched an attack targeting citizens' homes in the town of 'Umm Safa' northwest of the city, coinciding with others gathering at the entrances to the town of 'Burqa' to obstruct traffic and inspect vehicles. In occupied Jerusalem, settlers began establishing a new fenced pastoral outpost near the town of 'Jaba', in a preparatory step to confiscate surrounding lands.

In the southern West Bank, Masafer Yatta and Khirbet al-Khalil were not spared from these attacks, as shepherds and farmers were pursued and subjected to direct physical assaults. These repeated attacks aim to force Palestinians to evacuate their pastures and agricultural fields for the benefit of settlement expansion, in the absence of any legal or international deterrent to these practices.

Groups of settlers permanently closed the road leading to the residential cluster in Ras al-Ahmar, resulting in the siege of 38 Palestinian families.