Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Bellingcat researcher Annique Mossou as she explains how you can use free-to-access satellite data to track land changes and conflict. Annique uses the example of tracking the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. You don’t always need to rely on paid satellite tools to carry out research and we show how you can use Google Earth Pro, Google Earth Engine and Sentinel Hub to monitor settlement expansions, highlighting the limitations and advantages of each tool.
We used these tools ourselves to examine settlements in the West Bank in the recent Bellingcat/Scripps documentary A Hidden War, but the techniques and tools outlined can be applied anywhere in the world.
bellingcat.com/news/2024/04/29/the-hidden-war-in-gaza-and-the-west-bank
Links to the tools described:
Google Earth Pro: google.com/earth/about/versions
Sentinel Hub EO Browser: apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browser
You can read a version of this guide in print form on our website here: bellingcat.com/resources/2024/05/17/how-to-use-free-satellite-imagery-to-monitor-the-expansion-of-west-bank-settlements
Chapters:
00:00 -Introduction
1:16 -What we will cover
1:28 -Google Earth Pro
2:46 -Google Earth Engine Timelapse
3:25 -Sentinel Hub EO Browser
5:04 -Advice on examining satellite data
Links to Bellingcat sites:
GitHub: github.com/bellingcat
Tech Series: youtube.com/watch?v=ymCMy8OffHM&list=PLq6cQ--4f90icDJUwiGcPrFFLLguuZ0ht
Discord: discord.gg/bellingcat
Join Bellingcat researcher Annique Mossou as she explains how you can use free-to-access satellite data to track land changes and conflict. Annique uses the example of tracking the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. You don’t always need to rely on paid satellite tools to carry out research and we show how you can use Google Earth Pro, Google Earth Engine and Sentinel Hub to monitor settlement expansions, highlighting the limitations and advantages of each tool.
We used these tools ourselves to examine settlements in the West Bank in the recent Bellingcat/Scripps documentary A Hidden War, but the techniques and tools outlined can be applied anywhere in the world.
bellingcat.com/news/2024/04/29/the-hidden-war-in-gaza-and-the-west-bank
Links to the tools described:
Google Earth Pro: google.com/earth/about/versions
Sentinel Hub EO Browser: apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browser
You can read a version of this guide in print form on our website here: bellingcat.com/resources/2024/05/17/how-to-use-free-satellite-imagery-to-monitor-the-expansion-of-west-bank-settlements
Chapters:
00:00 -Introduction
1:16 -What we will cover
1:28 -Google Earth Pro
2:46 -Google Earth Engine Timelapse
3:25 -Sentinel Hub EO Browser
5:04 -Advice on examining satellite data
Links to Bellingcat sites:
GitHub: github.com/bellingcat
Tech Series: youtube.com/watch?v=ymCMy8OffHM&list=PLq6cQ--4f90icDJUwiGcPrFFLLguuZ0ht
Discord: discord.gg/bellingcat
