For the first time in Judea and Samaria: Heavy fines against illegal drilling

The Civil Administration imposed for the first time in Judea and Samaria financial sanctions totaling 200,000 NIS on operators of illegal drilling trucks in the Jenin area. The trucks will be detained until full payment and will face confiscation proceedings. The operation was carried out by Israel Water Authority teams to curb water theft.

The Civil Administration imposed for the first time in Judea and Samaria financial sanctions totaling 200,000 NIS on operators of illegal drilling trucks in the Jenin area. This is a precedent-setting enforcement action, utilizing a new administrative authority that allows imposing heavy fines against water law violators. Two trucks were caught while performing illegal water drilling work: one was fined 120,000 NIS and the other 80,000 NIS. The trucks will be detained by the Civil Administration until the fines are paid, and if unpaid, confiscation proceedings will be initiated. The operations were made possible thanks to the supervision and enforcement teams of the Israel Water Authority, which were authorized to operate in Judea and Samaria starting June 2026. The Civil Administration clarified that it will continue to develop additional administrative tools for more effective and faster enforcement in the fight against the phenomenon of illegal drilling.