Mohammed Abeh finds it difficult to foresee a decent life for future herders if the situation does not improve. He lives in Massafar Yatta in the southern Hebron hills which is the worst-affected area.

This year, water supplies have run out earlier than normally. Abeh can no longer afford to buy trucked water or fodder because of escalating prices.

"I have to sell one sheep to feed another. If that continues I will end up with no sheep left," he says.

Two years ago he had 250 sheep. Today he has 150 left to provide an income for an extended family of 20 people including children and grandchildren.