Israeli settlers deprive Palestinians access to spring water in Wadi Al-Auja

Although the rainfall during the winter was abundant, Wadi Al-Auja is completely devoid of water these days due to the construction of four huge wells.

The village, which is 12km northwest of Jericho, is home to the Ain al-Auja water spring and also a long valley that connects the slopes of the eastern mountain range of the West Bank with the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Although the rainwater from the mountain range normally reaches the Jordan River, and the water of Ain Al-Auja is usually more than enough of what farmers in Wadi Al-Auja need, the establishment of Israeli settlements has caused the valley to dry up.

This is because Israeli settlers dug wells at a depth of up to 600m - compared to the maximum depth of 90m for Palestinian wells - effectively obstructing the flow of water to Wadi Al-Auja and the Palestinian farmers who need it.