Soldiers destroy wells, water pumps in the Jordan valley of Palestine

Ma'an -- The villages of Al-Nasaryah, Al-Akrabanyah and Beit Hassan, all situated in the Jordan Valley, had water pumps and engines confiscated.

The equipment was used by farmers in the villages.

Nabil Jawda, Muhammad Wahdan, and Najih Zaid all had property destroyed, Ziad told Ma'an.

The coordinator for the Save the Valley Campaign, Fathi Khuderat, said the villages were located in Area A of the Jordan Valley, which according to the Oslo agreements should be under full Palestinian civil and security control.

The vast majority of the Jordan Valley, however, is classified as Area C, with full Israeli control over security, planning and construction, and Israel has taking various measures to stifle the growth of Palestinian communities while promoting settlements in the region, rights groups say.

Khuderat noted that the Jordan Valley is rich agricultural land, with many Palestinian families earning a livelihood from agriculture.

He added that the destruction of wells, which are the only source of income for some Palestinian families, is devastating and a serious violation of the right of Palestinians to live in dignity on their land.