Palestinians move into new city in West Bank — in pictures

Buildings are under construction. Perched on a once desolate hilltop, it’s the first Palestinian city being built according to a modern urban design plan.

A Palestinian resident arrives at his new apartment. The organised layout and modern facilities are in jarring contrast to chaotic Palestinian towns and villages in the area.

The site of a medical facility and an international school in Rawabi. Bashar Masri, a Palestinian-American developer, dreamed up Rawabi, or hills in Arabic, in 2007. But the construction of the city, located about 40 kilometres north of Jerusalem, has repeatedly stalled from political obstacles. Work only began in 2012.

A large amphitheatre that holds about 12,000 people in the entertainment complex.

A Palestinian family leave their new apartment. About 250 families live in the city.

Work continues at Rawabi’s commercial centre. For Mr Masri, Rawabi has become part of history — “the first Palestinian city to be established in thousands of years” — and he is sure more cities like this will follow.

A mosque’s minaret.

An image of American actress Marilyn Monroe decorates an entertainment complex building under construction. “I would love to sit at a cafe in Rawabi and watch the people going around, enjoying themselves, living in a nice clean environment and being happy,” he muses.

A petrol station and roadworks in Rawabi. “We deserve some relaxation and happiness ... we have been dealt a terrible deal, dozens and dozens of years. We deserve better.”

After years of setbacks, Palestinians are proudly starting to move into their first planned city being built in the West Bank — a move that is not just about real estate but also a symbol of their quest for statehood after nearly 50 years of Israeli military occupation. All photos by Nasser Nasser / AP Photo