Israeli forces target wells and water networks in Jordan Valley, threatening Palestinian agriculture

Israeli forces have intensified operations targeting Palestinian wells, pipelines and other water infrastructure in the northern Jordan Valley, threatening agricultural livelihoods and access to water for local communities, according to residents and local officials.

Farmers say the destruction of water infrastructure has increasingly affected their ability to irrigate crops, provide water for livestock and meet basic household needs in an area heavily dependent on agriculture.

In the village of Atouf, farmer Abdul Majid Sa’aydeh, 55, said Israeli forces recently filled in his water well for the third time in less than five years.

Sa’aydeh told Quds Press that the damage extended to the main water pipeline serving Atouf and nearby Ras al-Ahmar. He said settlers initially damaged sections of the pipeline before an Israeli military bulldozer uprooted and destroyed the remaining pipes.

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According to Sa’aydeh, the destruction deprived approximately 30 livestock-raising families of water and affected around 8,000 dunams of irrigated agricultural land.

Local officials reported that three artesian wells in Atouf and Ras al-Ahmar had also been filled in.

Abdullah Bisharat, head of the Atouf village council, said the three wells supplied water to approximately 7,500 dunams of farmland in the al-Baqi’a plain, making them an important source for agricultural production in the area.

Residents described the repeated destruction of wells and irrigation networks as part of broader pressure on Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley, arguing that restricting access to water makes it increasingly difficult for farmers and herders to remain on their land.

Israel exercises extensive administrative and security control over much of the Jordan Valley, particularly areas classified as Area C under the Oslo arrangements. Israeli authorities frequently say demolitions and enforcement actions against Palestinian infrastructure in Area C concern construction or installations lacking Israeli-issued permits.

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