JENIN, January 12, 2026 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa laid the foundation stone on Monday for the wholesale water system improvement project in Jenin Governorate and the construction of water distribution networks for villages northeast of Jenin.
The ceremony was attended by Jenin Governor Kamal Abu Al-Rub, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority Ziad Al-Mimi, World Bank Regional Director Stefan Emblad, Mayor of Marj Ibn Amer Barakat Al-Omari, as well as several ministers, officials, and citizens.
The project is considered one of the largest strategic interventions in the water sector in Jenin Governorate. It aims to bring about a qualitative transformation in the water supply system, enhance water security, and strengthen community resilience.
The project is implemented under the Water Security and Resilience Program, funded by the World Bank in effective partnership with the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW), with a total budget of $55.5 million, including $41 million from the World Bank and $14.5 million from KfW.
This international partnership model reflects growing confidence in the Palestinian government’s vision and lays the groundwork for a new phase of water justice and sustainable development in Jenin Governorate.
Mustafa said that the Palestinian people are determined not only to remain steadfast but also to achieve and build, noting that the launch of this project reflects their resilience and readiness to confront the political challenges imposed on the region.
He emphasized that the Palestinian people remain firmly attached to their land and identity despite all circumstances and hardships, and in the face of ongoing attempts at displacement and starvation.
He added that relief efforts directed toward Jenin or Gaza alone are not sufficient, stressing that the government will continue not only to provide relief to those in need across various governorates, but also to advance construction and development efforts.
He noted that upcoming projects will significantly contribute to alleviating suffering and improving living standards for Palestinians across all areas of Palestine.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the start of preparations for a project and program to reconstruct refugee camps in the northern occupied West Bank, noting that reconstruction efforts will commence with the support of international partners once the occupation and aggression against these camps come to an end.
For his part, Head of the Palestinian Water Authority Ziad Al-Mimi affirmed that the project is being implemented in partnership with the World Bank under the Water Security and Resilience Program, with funding of approximately $51 million. Upon completion, it is expected to increase available water quantities by around seven million cubic meters annually, serving more than 124,000 citizens in Jenin, Qabatiya, Burqin, and villages in the northern and eastern parts of the governorate, while ensuring equitable distribution and improving the reliability and quality of water services.
Meanwhile, the World Bank’s Regional Director affirmed that investment in this project lies at the core of the Bank’s commitment to supporting vital infrastructure in Palestine, noting that water security constitutes a foundation for economic and social stability and a cornerstone of any sustainable development.
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