Emaar Al-Khalil wins the global housing gold and confronts settlement with new housing

Among 64 international institutions, Emaar Al-Khalil wins the housing gold in 2026, and Al-Jabari reveals a plan to house new families to confront settlement expansion.

Hebron - Ofoq News - The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee won the Golden World Housing Award for the year 2026, excelling in a competition in which 64 international institutions from about 43 countries participated, in appreciation of its efforts to revive the old city of Hebron, rehabilitate its homes, and provide the necessities of life for its residents, in light of the escalation of Israeli measures and pressures facing the Palestinian presence in the region.

The Director General of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, Muhannad Al-Jaabari, revealed a plan to house 12 new Palestinian families in the Old City before the end of this year, in addition to progress in rehabilitating about 104 water wells, stressing that the committee seeks to end the water problem in the region during the year 2027, in parallel with preparing to implement new development projects aimed at strengthening the residents’ steadfastness and preserving the historical and urban character of the Old City.

Al-Jaabari’s statements came during an interview on the “Good Morning” program, presented by journalist Riyad Khamis, and broadcast on Al-Foura Radio, Ma’an Satellite, and Ma’an Radio Network, where he addressed the implications of the international coronation, the conditions under which the committee works, and the escalating challenges facing the Old City, especially with the addition of new Israeli gates and the expansion of settler movements in its vicinity.

Two international awards in one year...global recognition of the ability of Palestinian institutions

Al-Jaabari explained that the gold award represents the second international achievement achieved by the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee during the year 2026, after receiving the first international award that was honored in Morocco, following a competition in which 54 international institutions specialized in housing, infrastructure, and providing clean water participated.

He pointed out that the first competition was subject to an international evaluation and arbitration process that lasted more than a year, while the evaluation procedures for the Golden World Housing Award took several months, according to criteria that he described as difficult and precise, and under the supervision of international arbitration committees.

He stressed that the importance of these awards is not limited to their moral or honorary value, but rather goes beyond that to being an international recognition of the ability of a Palestinian institution to compete against international institutions that have a long history and great potential in the fields of housing and urban development.

Al-Jaabari said that this recognition would expand opportunities for cooperation with international institutions, and open new horizons for obtaining projects and financing during the year 2027, which would reflect on the development of the Old City and improve the living conditions of its residents.

He stressed that the achievement carries a message that goes beyond the borders of the city of Hebron, which is the ability of Palestinian institutions to achieve tangible results and compete globally, even in light of the financial crises, scarcity of resources, and exceptional circumstances that the Palestinian territories are going through.

Housing dozens of families despite the lack of funding

Speaking about the factors that contributed to the committee receiving the gold award, Al-Jabari explained that one of the most prominent elements of the evaluation was the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee’s ability to provide housing for dozens of Palestinian families within the Old City, despite the absence of funding allocated for these projects and the difficult economic conditions.

He stated that the committee succeeded in creating a state of residential stability and encouraging families to remain in their homes and not leave the area, considering that restoring life to historical buildings and housing families in them constitutes an essential pillar for preserving the old town.

He pointed out that these achievements were achieved in light of the financial crisis facing the Palestinian National Authority, and its repercussions on institutions operating in various sectors, as well as the daily challenges associated with Israeli measures.

He pointed out that the people of Hebron and the local community played a pivotal role in the success of these projects, through support and providing the necessary capabilities to implement rehabilitation and housing work.

He explained that the ability of the local community to organize its efforts and provide practical solutions in the absence of funding was one of the most prominent aspects that received the attention of international evaluation committees.

Rehabilitation of 104 wells... and a plan to end the water problem in 2027

Regarding the infrastructure file, Al-Jaabari revealed that the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee has completed rehabilitation work on about 104 water wells inside the Old City, as part of its efforts to address one of the most prominent problems facing residents.

He stressed that the committee continues to work on this file, and seeks to announce in 2027 an end to the water problem in the region.

He pointed out that well rehabilitation projects, like family housing projects, were implemented without funding allocated to them, relying on contributions from the local community and the support of the people of Hebron.

He explained that providing water and improving housing conditions do not represent merely separate service projects, but rather form part of an integrated vision aimed at ensuring the continuation of life within the Old City, and preserving its residents and its urban and historical heritage.

Al-Jaabari: We faced a real danger threatening institutions and we did not close our doors for a single day

The Director General of the Hebron Reconstruction Committee touched on the financial and administrative challenges that the committee faced during the past period, revealing a stage he described as dangerous, which witnessed serious threats to the continued work of Palestinian institutions, including the Reconstruction Committee.

He explained that the committee was able to overcome a very difficult stage and maintain the continuity of its services despite limited resources and increasing pressure.

He stressed that the committee did not stop working for a single day, and its doors remained open to citizens, including its facilities located at the entrances to the Old City and the vicinity of the Noble Ibrahimi Mosque.

He stressed that maintaining the continuity of the committee's work is a key priority, especially in light of the role it plays in protecting historical buildings and providing services to residents.

He expressed his hope that the year 2027 will witness the implementation of qualitative and distinctive projects within the Old City, benefiting from the international recognition achieved by the committee and the cooperation relations it is working to develop with external institutions.

International meetings and a shift in attitudes towards the Palestinian issue

In a related context, Al-Jaabari revealed that meetings were held with academic and international institutions during the foreign tour that accompanied participation in the award’s activities, including meetings with the British University of UCL.

He explained that these meetings were not limited to discussing urban and development projects, but rather included extensive political discussions about the Palestinian situation and the challenges faced by the city of Hebron and the Old City.

He pointed out that during the meetings he noticed a high level of sympathy for the Palestinian issue, especially among British youth, considering that there is a noticeable shift in attitudes and trends towards the Palestinians.

Al-Jaabari believed that this shift reflects the expansion of international interest in the Palestinian issue, stressing the importance of investing in international relations in conveying the reality of the Old City and informing international institutions of the challenges facing its residents.

New Israeli gates and warnings of a different stage in settlement expansion

In another aspect of the interview, Al-Jabari warned of developments that he described as dangerous taking place in the Old City of Hebron, in light of the new Israeli measures and the addition of gates at the entrances to the area, in conjunction with settler movements and marches in areas that had not previously witnessed such activities.

He explained that three new gates were added to the entrances to the Old City, in addition to a fourth gate that was previously there, considering that these measures increase the restrictions imposed on the area and its residents.

He pointed out that the recent period witnessed settler marches starting from the Ain al-Hamra area, passing near the Hebron Endowments Directorate, all the way to the Al-Zahid area.

He stressed that these paths were not familiar in the past, warning that they may reflect the transition of settlement activity to a new phase, not limited to the areas located within the Old City, but extending to surrounding areas.

Al-Jaabari considered that these movements come in the context of attempts to expand the settlement presence and put pressure on the Palestinian population, which may push some families to leave their areas of residence.

He stressed that what is happening requires strengthening efforts aimed at stabilizing the population, providing them with the necessities of life, and not allowing the decline of the Palestinian presence in these areas.

Housing 12 new families before the end of 2026...and the response is to stay, not to leave

In the face of these developments, Al-Jaabari announced that the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee intends to house 12 new Palestinian families within the Old City before the end of this year.

He explained that this step comes as a continuation of the projects implemented by the committee during the past period, which contributed to housing dozens of families and restoring life to historic homes and buildings.

He stressed that the practical response to the Israeli measures and pressures on residents is to strengthen the Palestinian presence, rehabilitate homes, and encourage families to live and settle within the Old City.

Al-Jaabari said that housing the new families represents a clear message that residents are committed to their homes and neighborhoods, stressing that the area will remain Palestinian and vibrant.

The award goes to the people of the Old City and the employees of the Reconstruction Committee

Al-Jaabari dedicated the international achievement to the people of the Old City of Hebron, who continue to live there despite the difficult circumstances and daily Israeli procedures, and to the employees of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee who continued their work during the most difficult stages.

He praised the efforts made by the committee's crews and the support of the city's people and the local community, stressing that this partnership was an essential factor in achieving achievements that received international appreciation.

He pointed out that winning the Gold Award represents an incentive to continue work, expand the scope of projects, and enhance the presence of the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee in international institutions and forums.