Mass Destruction and Jenin Municipality's Efforts in Reconstruction

In northern West Bank, Jenin has gained centre stage in recent months. The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) have evoked scenes of the second Palestinian Intifada of 2002. At dawn on 28 August 2024, the IOF launched a “military operation,” considered to be the most extensive ever since. Supported by armoured and air forces, large numbers of IOF troops raided the Jenin city and stormed portions of the Jenin refugee camp, which lies within the boundaries of the Jenin Municipality. In particular, the IOF targeted infrastructure of the Jenin city and refugee camp. As a result, the IOF completely destroyed 32.3% of roads, 24.48% of the water grid, and 36.36% of sewerage networks (These figures are expected to increase given that the military campaign has not come to an end yet). In addition to communication and electricity cables, almost 70% of the streets have been partially destroyed in bulldozed areas across the city and refugee camp. 

The enormous destruction has deeply impacted the lives of citizens in Jenin. Damaged water, sewerage and electricity networks have affected basic services and public health. Movement has been difficult due to demolished buildings, burned vehicles, and debris of destroyed streets. In total, the damage caused to the city’s infrastructure since the beginning of Israel’s attack on Gaza is estimated to amount to US$ 18,404,784.16 (as of 3 September 2024, with the amount expected to increase due to the ongoing aggression against the city and refugee camp). 

It seemed that the Palestinian time stood still, but Jenin has put it back into circulation. With its teams and resources, the Jenin Municipality continues to stand firm, recognizing the critical role it has to play in rebuilding what has been destroyed by the IOF. At the forefront of actors, the municipality has provided response and worked around the clock to remove the rubble, restore basic services, and offer emergency support to citizens. 

Roads and streets 

Ongoing attacks have particularly targeted roads and streets in Jenin. Out of 141 km, the IOF have destroyed 45.627 km (or 32.3%) of the road network. This percentage may increase as a result of recurring acts of aggression against Jenin. Since 7 October, damage to roads has totalled US$ 10,873,579.24. This destruction occurs at a time when the city was already challenged by poor infrastructure. The average age of streets is 35 years. Due to persistent urbanisation, the city is in dire need of new roads. 

In response, the Jenin Municipality took the initiative to rehabilitate destroyed roads and provide comprehensive maintenance in vital areas, including the Al-Hissan, Dabbet al-Ghabez, and Khallet as-Sohah areas. It also instructed teams to work on the Nablus Street in the Eastern Quarter, As-Sikka, Al-Jabiriyat and Ash-Sheikh Wassef areas. In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and local shopkeepers, the municipality gave priority to restoring the area around the Shaheed Omar Qadri Roundabout on the Nazareth Street. These efforts are not limited road maintenance and resurfacing, but also include rubble removal, pothole filling, and ensuring that these roads are resilient to the increasing pressure of normal traffic and ongoing aggression. The municipality has a clear commitment to retore the city roads and ensure safe and effective movement. This is of utmost importance for citizens’ day-to-day life and economic vitality in Jenin. 

Water and sanitation systems 

The destruction caused to roads and streets did not affect the asphalt layer only, but also destroyed water, sanitation and rainwater drainage networks. Totalling US$ 3,012,481.96, damage to these systems has exacerbated an already miserable situation. Prior to 7 October, Jenin had been struggling with a water loss rate of 53%, primarily due to the Israel’s destruction of water networks as well as old and dilapidated infrastructure. The most recent aggression against Jenin has brought this figure up to 60%, resulting in a severe water crisis. Enormous pressure has been placed on the old and fragile water system, causing recurrent cuts in the water supply and posing significant public health risks. 

Recent events have also caused grave damage to the sanitation network, totalling about US$ 4,518,722.952. The IOF damaged approximately half (3.25 of 7 km) of the rainwater drainage system, creating an acute health and environmental crisis, public health hazards, and fertile breeding ground for epidemics. Hygienic conditions are not applied in wastewater disposal processes. Wastewater flows out to the surface, gathers in holes dug by the IOF, and might reach houses. 

The Jenin Municipality is well aware of the seriousness of the situation. It has, therefore, placed the restoration of water and sanitation networks at the forefront of its priorities. Municipal water and sanitation teams work tirelessly, and often around the clock, to repair and rehabilitate damaged systems, restore main water pipelines, and ensure the population have access to clean water. Significant efforts have focused on areas such as the An-Naseem Roundabout, where sewer lines were severely damaged and caused public health risks. Following land‐levelling operations by Israeli bulldozers, the municipality repaired the main supply line from the As-Sa’adah well, the principal water main of the Jenin city and refugee camp. 

Waste management 

Israeli attacks have targeted waste management infrastructure. Since the onset of the aggression, 1,200 waste containers were destroyed. As a result, waste has accumulated on the streets and in neighbourhoods, posing public health risks to residential areas. The pile up of waste has attracted rodents and insects, increasing risk to infectious diseases and creating serious environmental challenges to the city population. Losses were close to US$ 485,874. In response, the Jenin municipality has taken rapid and decisive actions. Recognizing the need to preserve hygiene and public health, the municipality established a specialized committee for waste management to supervise the collection and disposal of waste throughout Jenin. Despite shortages, the committee improved the condition of available waste containers and began to develop plans to purchase new ones. The health department also made concerted pest control efforts by applying insecticides and rodenticides across the city. These actions are critical to prevent the spread of diseases and avoid further deterioration of living conditions in Jenin. 

Market regulation and economic support 

The Jenin Municipality took proactive steps to support the local economy, which was seriously compromised by escalating raids on the city. It focused on regulating markets and addressing encroachments that hamper commercial activities and pedestrian movement. To this avail, vendor stalls were installed to ensure that sidewalks are clear. The municipality works towards keeping the city market functional even in these difficult circumstances. This initiative is particularly important in a situation of economic duress suffered by many households. It helps support local companies and provides access to essential goods. 

Mobilizing international support 

In addition to these immediate responses, the Jenin Municipality has worked actively with international partners to mobilize support to the city reconstruction and recovery efforts. It has worked hard to raise awareness among international allies on adverse effects of the IOF on Jenin. This included calls for reopening the Jalama checkpoint, a vital economic lifeline to the area, and for international intervention to put a stop to ongoing attacks. 

Since the aggression started, the Jenin Municipality has received international diplomats, including the British and German consuls, presented on the destruction, and discussed possible ways for international aid. The municipality strengthened relations with the Netherlands Government in pursuit of increased cooperation in areas of common interest. It urged the international community to take immediate action and put an end to the aggression against Gaza and across the West Bank. 

Amid these successive challenges and crises and despite IOF attempts to undermine it and disrupt its operations, the Jenin Municipality underscores its firm commitment to provide support, relief, and response to the local community needs. With unfailing determination, municipal teams are on the ground, struggling to repair destroyed roads, rebuild vital water and wastewater systems, and restore essential services. These actions do not only reflect physical reconstruction, but they also entail a bold statement of the national responsibility taken up by the municipality in leading the current stage, which has overburdened the government, institutions and individuals. The municipality plays a critical role in maintaining community safety, protecting the national project, and promoting citizens’ resilience on their land.