- Israel orders new evacuations in Deir el-Balah amid widened military operations.
- Settler attacks threaten Palestinian access to critical water sources in the West Bank.
- Water scarcity and conflict intensify forced displacement and humanitarian concerns.
Israel has launched a new phase of its military campaign in central Gaza, urging civilians in Deir el-Balah to evacuate ahead of imminent operations against Hamas.
Meanwhile, Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank face a growing crisis as Israeli settlers sabotage vital water infrastructure.
From Bombs to Wells: Gaza Offensive Expands as West Bank Faces Settler Water Seizures
The Israeli military’s expansion into Deir el-Balah marks a strategic shift in its ground operations, targeting regions previously untouched by ground troops. The evacuation order, announced by the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, directs civilians toward the al-Mawasi coastal zone. The move has raised alarm among international observers and humanitarian agencies, as shelters and basic services in al-Mawasi are already overwhelmed.
The families of hostages held in Gaza continue to protest in Tel Aviv, demanding transparency and accountability from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They fear that intensified military operations will endanger the remaining captives. Out of 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s 2023 attack, Israel reports that at least 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 believed to be dead.
In the West Bank, settler violence has surged since the outbreak of the Gaza war, often targeting essential Palestinian infrastructure. In some cases, settlers have openly bathed in confiscated springs shortly after damaging them, while local technicians fear returning to maintain the facilities. The Israeli government faces growing international criticism for failing to prevent — and in some cases allegedly enabling — these attacks.
Water inequality remains a flashpoint of contention in the region. According to Israeli NGO B’Tselem, while nearly all settlers enjoy uninterrupted water access, only a third of West Bank Palestinians do. Restrictions on well drilling and land use in Area C, under full Israeli control, have stifled agricultural activity and accelerated rural depopulation. Local leaders argue that these policies amount to environmental displacement and deepen the humanitarian divide.
As violence escalates in Gaza and resource control tightens in the West Bank, Palestinians face not only bombs but also blockades on life’s most basic needs — water and safety.
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” — W. H. Auden
