This study examines environmental justice in the southern West Bank by assessing the impacts of wastewater on air quality between 2019 and 2024 in Dura City, Fawwar Refugee Camp, and Nahal Negohot Settlement. A high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was processed to model terrain, runoff patterns, and drainage networks, establishing the physical basis for contaminant transport analysis. Remote sensing data from Sentinel-5P TROPOMI, MODIS, and Sentinel-2, integrated with geospatial analysis in Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS Pro, were used to calculate an Air Quality Index (AQI) for key pollutants (NO₂, CH₄, CO), alongside a composite Environmental Stress Index (ESI) to quantify cumulative environmental pressure. Results reveal stark disparities between Palestinian localities and the Israeli settlement. Wastewater production increased substantially in Dura and Fawwar, while Nahal Negohot exhibited a lower rise. Per capita water supply remains highly unequal, with Palestinian communities receiving far below WHO recommendations. Decentralized wastewater systems in Dura and Fawwar led to elevated nitrates, methane emissions, and groundwater contamination, whereas Nahal Negohot’s centralized treatment plant ensures controlled discharge and safe air quality. AQI levels reached “Hazardous” in Palestinian areas, particularly near schools and residential zones, while Nahal Negohot consistently experienced “Safe” conditions. The integrated analysis demonstrates that structural inequalities in infrastructure, governance, and resource allocation drive environmental disparities, highlighting severe environmental injustice. Addressing these challenges requires systemic interventions to improve wastewater infrastructure, reduce pollution, and promote equitable environmental conditions across the West Bank.

Title

Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publisher Country

Switzerland

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

2.1

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

11

Year

2026

Pages

82, (2026)