Jericho
JerichoSebi Berens/Flash 90

The United States government on Sunday launched a $10 million project to improve access to wastewater treatment and water for Palestinian Arab farmers in the Jericho area.

Jason Greenblatt, U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Representative for International Negotiations, was among officials launching the project in the historic city near the Dead Sea, reported AFP.

“Great visit to Jericho Agro-Industry Park w/Japanese partners – donor community working w/local authorities can create jobs & opportunity,” he tweeted.

Greenblatt has been among Trump's aides seeking to restart Israeli-Palestinian Arab negotiations. U.S. officials have spoken of improving the Palestinian Authority's economy and infrastructure as part of their efforts.

At Sunday's event, Greenblatt did not comment on White House peace efforts and also did not speak about a unity deal signed last week between Fatah and Hamas. Last week, Greenblatt did release a statement in which he praised the efforts to restore Palestinian Authority control over Gaza as part of the reconciliation.

The project announced Sunday aims to increase the number of homes connected to the Jericho area's wastewater treatment plant previously built with Japanese assistance by about 10,000 residents.

That would leave some 70 percent of Jericho residents connected, according to the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem.

Recycled wastewater would then be available to Palestinian Arab date farmers in the area, it said.

"The U.S. administration and President Trump personally remain committed to a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis, and a central element of that peace is a thriving economy and real opportunities for Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza," U.S. Consul General Donald Blome was quoted as having said.

Palestinian Water Authority chairman Mazen Ghunaim said "this project will have a positive and direct impact on creating jobs and economic growth."

AFP contributed to this report.