Beyond borders and blockades: human trafficking risks among vulnerable Palestinian populations under occupation

This article explores the nexus between political occupation, economic marginalization, and the risk of human trafficking in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). It argues that the ongoing Israeli occupation and blockade, particularly of Gaza and Area C of the West Bank, have entrenched structural vulnerabilities that increase exposure to exploitation and trafficking, most significantly of women, children, and unregistered workers. The catastrophic escalation following October 7, 2023, has intensified these vulnerabilities to unprecedented levels, creating an acute humanitarian crisis that compounds trafficking risks. Adopting a combined analytical and legal approach, the study utilizes human rights reports, national legislation, and international conventions. The findings indicate that state fragility, fragmented governance, extreme poverty, and the impacts of occupation create fertile ground for labor exploitation, forced displacement, and survival trafficking. The article critiques international anti-trafficking and counterterrorism policies for their decontextualized, criminalized approach, which often ignores the political and colonial histories of occupied lands. It concludes by calling for a rights-oriented, contextualized approach that addresses the structural vulnerabilities arising from occupation and blockade while strengthening national law and international judicial assistance.