Urban areas are sensitive to floods, heat waves, droughts, and other extreme events. [...] Rapid urbanization is occurring because of high fertility rates, substantial rural-urban immigration, and the concentration of economic activity in urban areas.

Drought allows build-up of solid waste and sediments that can block storm-water drains, impeding the flow of water from the impacted area and polluting a wider area. The overstretched infrastructure is further pressured by increasing urban growth and rural to urban migration.

Settlements are built on the occupied Palestinian land which is the cause of many illegal practices against Palestinians such as forced displacements and restriction of Palestinian movements in addition to high limitations of Palestinians access to land, water and other natural resources.