Israeli authorities have approved an increase in water supplies to the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Palestinian officials said Monday.

Dr Shaddad Al-Attili, head of the Palestinian Water Authority, said that following negotiations with the Israeli water company Mekerot, an extra 2,000 cubic meters of water would be delivered daily for a limited period beginning this week.

Al-Attili said the Water Authority would launch a campaign with police to punish anyone caught stealing water or using others’ water illegally.