An Israeli dives into the waters of the ancient archaeological site of "Herod's Pool" near the Jewish settlement of Petzael, in the Israeli occupied Palestinian West Bank, in the Jordan Valley, after water was recently diverted into the site from a nearby spring, on June 15, 2026. Israeli officials are examining the unauthorized works and water diversion by Israeli settlers who have reportedly taken control of the archaeological site and diverted water from Palestinian farmland to fill the ancient pool. (Photo by ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images)
Please pray that families of West Bank children are able to obtain access to water.
God of life and mercy,
We lift up the people of the West Bank today, who thirst for clean and steady water.
Soothe the dry earth and fill the empty wells.
Protect the springs and streams that give life to families, farms, and communities.
Open closed gates and broken paths so that fresh water flows freely to every home.
Comfort those who worry for their children and their crops in the burning heat.
Comfort the children who need water to quench their thirst, wash their bodies, care for their gardens and prepare their food,
Console the children who see settlers frolicking in pools of water while they destroy the Palestinian water sources.
Bring fairness, peace, and relief to a thirsty land.
Amen.
Context: Water Situation in the West Bank of Palestine
Palestinians in the West Bank face severe water shortages, extreme consumption inequality compared to Israelis, and restricted access to local springs and wells. Over 800,000 residents require water and sanitation assistance, with some rural communities receiving piped water only once every few weeks or months.
Supply and Distribution Imbalance
• Strict Quotas: Water allocations were set by interim 1990s agreements and have not scaled with the doubled Palestinian population.
• Consumption Gap: Average daily water consumption for Palestinians is roughly 82 liters per person, compared to over 240 liters for Israelis.
• High Costs: Because local well-drilling and spring access are heavily restricted, the Palestinian Authority buys extra water from Israel at high prices, and rural families rely on expensive truck delivery.
Infrastructure and Access Constraints
• Demolitions: Israeli authorities routinely demolish unauthorized Palestinian water cisterns, pipelines, and sanitation structures.
• Settler Violence: Fresh water springs and tanks are frequently targeted, vandalized, or seized by hardline Israeli settlers, worsening rural displacement.
Additional Resources
https://www.btselem.org/publications/202305_parched
