Jericho, November 2, 2026 – Minister of Local Government Dr. Sami Hijjawi met with Jericho Mayor Major General Salem Ghrouf to discuss the city's current situation and its key development needs and projects. The meeting also addressed several administrative, financial, and technical issues, as well as the main follow-up efforts undertaken by the municipal council to serve local residents and visitors.
The meeting was held today, Monday, at Jericho Municipality headquarters, in the presence of members of the municipal council and municipal staff, Director General of Projects Eng. Moayad Shahadeh, and Director General of Local Government in Jericho Eng. Fadi Al-Fityani.
Minister Hijjawi emphasized that the Ministry's work is guided by the directives of His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister, which call for making every possible effort to improve the quality of services provided to the Palestinian people, strengthen their resilience, and enhance the performance of local government units by strengthening their financial and administrative capacities and providing them with development projects across various vital sectors.
Hijjawi noted that the Ministry maintains continuous communication with municipalities and village councils to identify their priority needs and place them at the top of its agenda. He also stressed the Ministry's continued efforts to mobilize the necessary funding through donor countries and institutions to implement these projects on the ground, despite the difficult circumstances facing the Palestinian people.
For his part, Mayor Ghrouf presented a number of issues concerning financial affairs, public health and the environment, water, infrastructure, and investment projects in the waste management sector. He also highlighted the need for increased government support to enable the municipality to continue providing better services to citizens, visitors, and the Palestinian people at large.
During the meeting, directors of the municipality's various departments delivered presentations within their respective areas of responsibility, outlining current operations, key challenges and obstacles, needs, and future plans.
Their presentations covered drinking water, irrigation, wastewater, public health and the environment, engineering and urban planning, projects, as well as legal affairs, finance, guarantees, and administrative affairs. The participants discussed several issues requiring support and follow-up in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government and other relevant stakeholders.
Following the meeting, Minister Hijjawi and the Mayor conducted a field tour that included the Bridge Project, the paving of Amman Street, the municipal slaughterhouse, and the waste disposal site. The Minister was briefed firsthand on the status of these projects and facilities, the progress of work, and the main needs and challenges associated with them. They also discussed ways to support and further develop these projects to improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of services provided to citizens.
At the beginning of his visit, Minister Hijjawi met with Director General of the Jericho Local Government Directorate, Eng. Fadi Al-Fityani, and the Directorate's staff. He commended their efforts and dedication, listened to their demands and the challenges they face, and emphasized the importance of maintaining professional and responsible work in serving local government units in particular and the Palestinian people in general.
Earlier, Minister Hijjawi had also met with the Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Dr. Hussein Hamayel, to discuss a number of issues concerning local government units.