Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Sunday that development has begun on the "Herodion Pools" reservoir in the occupied West Bank. The reservoir's water supply comes from the Palestinian village of Fasayil, which was previously illegally diverted by settlers. Smotrich stated that this move aims to strengthen Israel's control and protection of historical sites. He had previously pledged nearly $1 million for the project. Critics argue that this is the latest action by Israel to monopolize water resources in the Jordan Valley and seize Palestinian land.