Israeli Forces Raid Solomons Pools in West Bank Amid Growing Tensions

On Tuesday, July 7 2026, Israeli occupation troops entered Solomon’s Pools, a trio of Roman‑era reservoirs that lie between al‑Khader and Artas, just south of Bethlehem. The incursion, carried out by soldiers on a routine security patrol, left the site untouched in terms of arrests or injuries, the Palestine News Agency reported.

Solomon’s Pools sits in Area A of the West Bank, a zone that the Oslo Accords reserve for exclusive Palestinian civil administration. The Palestinian Authority (PA) holds both civil and security responsibility there. The three cisterns, dating back to about 2 B.C. and once feeding Jerusalem’s aqueducts, have long been a favored spot for Palestinian tourists. Over recent weeks Israeli forces have increased their presence, limiting Palestinian access and conducting regular inspections.

The raid follows a string of visits by Israeli officials. In May, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich toured the pools, announced funding for their development, and described the site’s placement in Area A as a “mistake.” He urged that the area be transferred to Israeli control. A month later, Knesset member and settler activist Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist party also visited the site and called on the government to assume authority.

The PA has denounced these actions as an attempt to “impose a new colonial reality” and to alter the area’s historical identity. Officials also noted that Solomon’s Pools is not listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a point some use to argue against international protection of the site.

The incursion comes amid broader tensions over Area A, which the Oslo Accords earmark for Palestinian civil administration. Since 1967 the West Bank has remained under Israeli occupation, a status that the International Court of Justice and other international bodies have repeatedly described as unlawful. The PA’s control of Area A is therefore central to its claims of sovereignty over the West Bank.

In response, the PA’s Ministry of Awqaf condemned Smotrich’s visit as extremist and announced plans to lay the cornerstone for a mosque at Solomon’s Pools. The move is seen by Israeli activists as a counter‑measure to secure a Palestinian presence on the site.

The raid has attracted attention from regional and international observers. While the PA has not called for a formal protest, it has reiterated its commitment to protecting Palestinian heritage sites. Israeli officials maintain that the operation was a routine security measure aimed at ensuring visitor safety.

Solomon’s Pools has become a focal point in a broader debate over the preservation of archaeological and cultural heritage in contested territories. The reservoirs, which once supplied water to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and Herod’s palace, are now partially drained and fenced for repairs. Despite intermittent maintenance, the pools have suffered neglect, prompting calls from both sides for better protection.

The incident underscores the growing friction between Israeli authorities and Palestinian communities over control of historic sites. Similar disputes have arisen at other West Bank locations, where settlement activity and Palestinian heritage preservation efforts frequently clash.

As of now, Israeli forces have not announced any change in the administrative status of Solomon’s Pools. The PA continues to administer the area, and the site remains a point of contention in the ongoing Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.

The situation at Solomon’s Pools highlights the fragile nature of heritage preservation in the West Bank and the broader struggle over sovereignty, cultural identity, and territorial control.