Israel Accused of Forcing Palestinian Displacement in West Bank Through Water Cuts and Road Closures

Israeli military measures in Palestinian communities in the northern Jordan Valley and Masafer Yatta, south of the West Bank, are reportedly pushing residents toward displacement by cutting off water supplies, closing roads, and restricting the movement of food and animal feed. These actions have led some families to leave their homes, while Israeli settlers continue to move freely and establish outposts in areas designated by the Israeli military as training zones. In Ras al-Ahmar, east of Tammun, over 200 Palestinians in 59 homes have been without regular water since March, according to a Haaretz report. In Masafer Yatta, more than 2,000 Palestinians face severe difficulties accessing water, food, and essential services due to military restrictions and threats of vehicle confiscation.

The crisis in Ras al-Ahmar began with the construction of an Israeli military checkpoint, "Crimson Thread," intended to prevent security threats from the northern West Bank. During construction, water pipes were cut, and roads leading to the village were blocked with iron gates. Residents had warned in January that the checkpoint would isolate communities and prevent farmers from accessing thousands of dunams of land. In September, the military intensified vehicle restrictions, threatening confiscation and forcing residents to use donkeys for transport, which are insufficient for their livestock's needs. Residents reported soldiers asking why they hadn't left and that soldiers, sometimes accompanied by settlers, demanded they leave, stating the land belonged to Jews. At least a third of the village's families have reportedly left due to the water crisis, with women and children temporarily relocating during school days. Residents maintain they possess land deeds, even for areas declared military training zones.

Despite an Israeli Supreme Court decision in April mandating coordination with residents on water infrastructure and gate opening times, residents claim the ruling has not been implemented. The Israeli government cited coordination difficulties and damage to additional pipes during construction, deeming them unlicensed and subject to future demolition. Residents, through their lawyer, argued they were forced to re-lay pipes for survival and hold the state responsible. In October, residents renewed their plea to open roads and allow water and food transport, warning of the community's emptying. The state later informed the court of twice-daily gate openings, but water trucks found the gate closed on October 27, leading to further legal action. The military attributed this to a "local malfunction" and weather conditions preventing gate personnel from arriving. The gate was eventually opened for limited water and food transport on Thursday, the first time in months, but regular access has not been restored. The military asserts the area is a training zone with restricted civilian access and claims an alternative route exists, which residents describe as long, rough, and also previously blocked.

In Masafer Yatta, military restrictions on vehicles within "Firing Zone 918" have hampered the transport of water and food to communities reliant on external supplies. Over 2,000 Palestinians reportedly lack access to water, health services, food, and medicine, with limited animal feed remaining. A petition alleges the military is imposing a de facto siege to force residents out and selectively applies restrictions, allowing settlers to move freely. Settler attacks on vehicles, including one carrying children and another transporting animal feed, have been reported. Israelis are permitted to picnic in the training area on Fridays. The military has agreed to allow vehicle access for water, food, medical, and educational personnel twice weekly, on Mondays and Wednesdays, with prior coordination and specific legal enforcement notice requirements. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 25, having refused an immediate order to halt vehicle confiscations.

Israel has designated large areas of the West Bank as military training zones since the 1970s, covering about 18% of the territory. In 2022, the Supreme Court allowed the eviction of eight Masafer Yatta villages within a training zone, followed by increased demolition of Palestinian structures. Conversely, about ten outposts, including at least three farms, have been established in the area since 2023, some with political coordination. The military's Central Command reportedly excluded some lands from training zones due to settlement construction, potentially easing their legal status. The military denies a widespread vehicle confiscation campaign in Masafer Yatta, stating restrictions target unauthorized entry to training areas and apply equally to Israelis and Palestinians, citing the confiscation of an Israeli-owned vehicle.