Addressing the World’s Most Vulnerable Population: R2P and Unaccompanied Children in Gaza
In the midst of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the children remain the most vulnerable part of the population. Thousands of Gaza children are reportedly missing and UN estimates that about 17,000 children are unaccompanied. There are large concerns over the short and long-term well-being of the Wounded Child No Surviving Family (WCNSF). Among the numerous issues include vulnerability to starvation, trauma, sexual exploitation, recruitment for terrorism and mental health issues. Global Responsibility to Protect (R2P), however, seems to have gone out of fashion as top state diplomats appear to be more concerned with regional hegemony and domestic populism. Israel and Hamas, and countries who fund them, should shoulder the blame and responsibility for the well-being of the children in Gaza. It is not the United Nations but rather Israel which “no longer holds even one ounce of legitimacy” and should shoulder the majority of the costs. How relevant is R2P and what are the solutions to the well being of children in one of the most inhumane conflicts of our time?