Adh Dhahiriya Municipality Discusses the Impact of Closures on the City with Minister Qandil and Ways to Mitigate Their Effects on Citizens
Mayor of Adh Dhahiriya, Eng. Ali Abbas Al-Awaisa, met with Minister Ayman Qandil, Head of the General Authority of Civil Affairs, at his office in Ramallah, in the presence of Municipal Council members Bassem Samamra and Issa Al-Battat. The meeting focused on the conditions facing Adh Dhahiriya under the strict closures imposed on the city’s entrances since the beginning of the war, and the resulting economic, social, and humanitarian consequences for its residents.
During the meeting, Mayor Al-Awaisa presented the most pressing challenges facing the city, foremost among them the continued closure of all entrances to Adh Dhahiriya and its isolation from surrounding areas. He explained that these measures have severely disrupted commercial activity, restricted citizens’ movement, and caused significant damage to the local economy. He also highlighted the destruction and punitive measures carried out by the occupation forces at the southern entrance to Adh Dhahiriya and in the Al-Ramadin area, which have negatively affected livelihoods and sources of income.
Mayor Al-Awaisa called on the Minister to work towards reopening the northern gate of Adh Dhahiriya, which has become the city’s only remaining lifeline and continues to be closed by the occupation authorities without justification.
The meeting also addressed the negative impact of the closures on agricultural and commercial activities, particularly in light of the restrictions and attacks that limit citizens’ access to their lands and sources of livelihood. Participants discussed how these measures continue to hinder economic activity and development throughout the region.
For his part, Minister Qandil affirmed that the Authority is closely following the issues raised by the municipality and will continue coordinating with the relevant parties to address them. He stressed that every possible effort will be made to alleviate citizens’ hardships and facilitate their movement, in line with the Authority’s national responsibility to serve the Palestinian people and strengthen their resilience.
Adh Dhahiriya Municipality continues its efforts to ease the burden on citizens by maintaining active communication with all relevant institutions and parties, while advocating for the lifting of the economic restrictions and closures imposed on the city.
