Sources to Sada News: Dismissal of Mayors of Tarqumiya and Beit Ummar Due to Mismanagement of Water Crisis

Exclusive to Sada News: Sources confirm to Sada News that the Palestinian government has ratified the decision of the Minister of Local Government, Dr. Sami Hijjawi, to dismiss both the mayors of Tarqumiya and Beit Ummar in Hebron from their positions legally due to their mismanagement of the crisis regarding the encroachment on drinking water lines.

As a result of the "encroachment crisis on drinking water lines," several suspects were arrested for theft and dozens of illegal tapping points were closed across multiple governorates, especially since the campaign to remove encroachments on water lines is ongoing in several governorates.

The Water Authority had reported that its technical teams, during the campaign to identify encroachments on water, discovered and removed 36 illegal water connections extending over 2.5 kilometers of the Dier Sha'ar line – the main supply line for Hebron Governorate – in the Beit Ummar area, bringing the total number of encroachments addressed since the launch of the campaign to 86 violating connections.

The Water Authority confirmed that the results of the campaign during its first week resulted in providing nearly 3000 cubic meters of water, which significantly contributed to improving distribution efficiency and enhancing water access to the affected areas, particularly given the increasing demand during the summer season.