Forced displacement resulting from humanitarian crises significantly impacts children’s safety, well-being, and development, exposing them to heightened risks of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Palestinian refugee children are particularly vulnerable due to repeated cycles of armed conflict, mass displacement, family separation, and systemic gaps in protection mechanisms. This paper critically examines the intersectional vulnerabilities of Palestinian refugee children to sexual exploitation, focusing on the roles of gender, structural violence, trauma, and weak child protection systems. Through a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies and organizational reports, this research identifies themes, debates, and gaps in the literature. Findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, and structural interventions to mitigate risk. Moreover, significant research gaps, including longitudinal studies and intervention evaluations specific to Palestinian contexts, are identified. Recommendations emphasize integrated strategies combining humanitarian aid, psychological support, and child-focused policies to prevent exploitation and promote protection.
