Hebron region, West Bank – July 30, 2025 — Residents of Susiya, a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, are enduring a severe humanitarian crisis after Israeli settlers deliberately cut off water and electricity supplies.
Settlers armed with knives reportedly severed water pipes and electricity cables serving the village, forcing households into daily hardship. In the words of local resident Mousa Mughnem, “They want us to live without water… they also cut the electrical wires.” His wife, Najah, echoed the urgency of the situation, warning that residents may not survive prolonged deprivation.
Jihad Al‑Nawajaa, head of Susiya’s village council, described the water cuts as a calculated effort to displace the local population, stating: “If we do not have water here, we will not survive. They make us thirsty to expel us.”
The attacks come amid a broader pattern of settler aggression across the region, including the destruction of olive trees—an enduring symbol of Palestinian heritage—and frequent assaults on farmers. Human rights groups have documented over 50 separate settler attacks on Susiya since October 2023.
While Israeli authorities report that troops have been deployed to address disturbances and have removed individuals involved in the latest water cut incident, villagers insist that systemic inaction enables the violence. No injuries were reported during the most recent attack, a military statement noted.
The crisis extends beyond Susiya. In eastern Ramallah’s Ein Samia area, armed settlers have reportedly damaged or destroyed multiple wells and disrupted pumping infrastructure, halting water supply to dozens of villages. The Jerusalem Water Authority warned that over 70,000 Palestinians in the region risk being cut off altogether unless attacks cease and pump operations are restored.
A wider investigation by the Palestinian Liberation Organization revealed that Israel controls over 84% of the West Bank’s water resources, while Palestinians receive only about 16%. Restrictions under Israeli military order make it nearly impossible for communities to create or maintain independent water systems, exacerbating shortages and forcing many to rely on expensive water tank deliveries.
Villagers in Susiya remain defiant. Najah Mughnem affirmed, “Even if they burn down or cut down the trees or inflict damage, we will not leave.”
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