Are Israeli-backed human trafficking networks forcing people out of Gaza – Al Jazeera

Report on Palestinian Displacement and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, as detailed in a November 2025 article. The events described represent a significant violation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning peace, justice, inequality, and sustainable communities. The situation, characterized by rights groups as potential ethnic cleansing, fundamentally undermines the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Violation of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The core of the crisis is a direct contravention of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.

Key Failures in Upholding SDG 16:

1. Erosion of Peace and Security: The displacement is described as a “journey of suffering” forced by prolonged conflict, directly opposing the goal of reducing violence.
2. Lack of Justice and Accountability:
   • Allegations of “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” point to a severe breakdown in the rule of law and international human rights protections.
   • Proposals for the forcible removal of a population, allegedly supported by state actors, challenge the integrity of international institutions.

Impact on Social and Economic Development Goals

The humanitarian crisis has cascading negative effects on several interconnected SDGs, highlighting the indivisible nature of the 2030 Agenda.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The targeting of a specific population for forced transfer is an extreme manifestation of inequality, directly undermining the objective of SDG 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes actively dismantles communities, which is the antithesis of SDG 11’s goal to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

• Reports indicate that displaced individuals pay exorbitant sums for passage, depleting personal resources and driving them into poverty (violating SDG 1).
• The physical and psychological trauma of forced displacement constitutes a severe threat to health and well-being (violating SDG 3).

Challenges to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The international response, or lack thereof, highlights a failure in global partnerships required to achieve the SDGs.

• The reported rejection by Arab states to accept displaced individuals indicates a lack of regional cooperation in managing a humanitarian crisis.
• The situation questions the effectiveness of international diplomacy and partnerships in preventing conflict and protecting vulnerable populations, a cornerstone of SDG 17.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article’s theme. The text discusses issues that are direct contradictions to the aims of SDG 16, such as “Israel’s genocide,” “ethnic cleansing,” and the “forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza.” These actions represent a complete breakdown of peace, a denial of justice for the Palestinian people, and the failure of institutions to protect fundamental human rights and prevent violence.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article highlights the severe inequality and discrimination faced by Palestinians. The “forced transfers” and “mass expulsion” are actions taken against a specific group of people based on their nationality and ethnicity, which is a clear violation of the principle of reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

  The article directly relates to this target by describing extreme forms of violence. The use of terms like “Israel’s genocide” and the description of the forced transfer as a “journey of suffering” point to a situation where violence is not being reduced but is actively perpetrated against a civilian population.

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

  The content implies a severe violation of this target. The act of “forcibly removing Palestinians,” which rights groups label “ethnic cleansing,” demonstrates a collapse of the rule of law and a total lack of access to justice for the affected population. Their displacement is happening without legal recourse or protection.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative indicators that measure the failure to meet the identified targets:

• Number of forcibly displaced persons

  This is the most direct indicator implied in the article. The central theme is the “forced transfers” and the potential “mass expulsion of Palestinians.” The number of people forced to leave their homes is a key metric for measuring the scale of the conflict and the failure to protect civilians, directly relating to Target 16.1.

• Existence of policies or actions of forced population transfer

  The article mentions that “Israel and the United States proposed forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza.” The existence of such proposals and their potential implementation serves as a critical indicator of the violation of international law and the failure to uphold justice and peace, relevant to Target 16.3.

• Reports of severe human rights violations

  The article’s reference to “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” serves as a qualitative indicator of the most extreme forms of violence and injustice. These terms, used by rights activists and referenced in the text, are themselves indicators of a catastrophic failure to achieve the goals of SDG 16.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: aljazeera.com