BETHLEHEM, May 7, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists on Wednesday took over a water well in the wilderness of al-Maniya village, southeast of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to a local official.

Zayed Kawazbeh, head of al-Maniya Village Council, said that a group of colonists seized a drinking water well belonging to the Abu an-Nur clan at the Wadi al-Abyad area.

He pointed out that there has been an upsurge in attacks and encroachments by colonists upon al-Maniya wilderness, including setting up tents, chasing shepherds and farmers, stealing sheep and seizing large tracts of land.

Colonists’ violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Colonists’ violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

K.F.