Israeli settlers seize wells and destroy water line in Hebron, cutting supply to 450 Palestinians

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, armed Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli forces, entered several villages in the Hebron area. They took control of two water wells south of Hebron and vandalized the only main water pipeline that supplies the villages of Birin Sharqiyah and Khala al-Farun.

The pipeline sabotage and well seizures left more than 450 residents without drinking water and threatened the irrigation of dozens of dunams of farmland and the health of about 2,000 sheep. Settlers claimed the seized lands were “archaeological sites,” and the outpost involved, known as “Metzi Zif,” was built on land owned by the villagers. Palestinian activist Osama Makhamra of the VFA reported the incidents and the local council head, Fared Barqan, confirmed the damage.