Israel Opens Criminal Probe Into Killing Of Hind Rajab And Family In Gaza

Israel has opened a criminal investigation into the killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab and her family in Gaza City, acknowledging that its soldiers fired at the car carrying the child, according to statements reported by Al Jazeera, the BBC, and Sky News.

Military Investigation and Shifting Accounts

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the decision to initiate a Military Police Criminal Investigation Division probe stems from alleged failures in coordinating the movement of a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance that was sent to rescue the child, as reported by the BBC. The military’s examination indicates that troops fired at a vehicle travelling contrary to an advanced notice published by the IDF Spokesperson for residents of the area.

The admission marks a shift from the military’s initial stance. According to the BBC, the IDF initially stated that none of its troops were in the area at the time of Hind’s killing. The military later acknowledged that forces had conducted raids on terror targets in Gaza City neighborhoods, including Tel al-Hawa, where the car was located.

The Emergency Call and Ambulance Attack

Hind’s death drew international condemnation after a recorded phone call between the five-year-old and PRCS operators was broadcast globally, according to the BBC. PRCS operator Rana Faqih stayed on the line with Hind for hours as the child described tanks moving directly in front of the vehicle. Operators instructed the girl to hide under the seats.

Three hours after the call began, an ambulance carrying crew members Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun received clearance to approach the area, according to the BBC. Operators lost contact with both the paramedics and Hind after the crew reported nearing the location. The PRCS later confirmed that the ambulance was bombed and both crew members were killed, stating that the vehicle was deliberately targeted despite prior coordination.

Response from Accountability Groups

The Hind Rajab Foundation, based in Brussels, stated that it has no confidence in the newly announced military investigation, according to the BBC. The foundation characterized internal Israeli investigations as fundamentally flawed and lacking credibility as mechanisms for accountability. Meanwhile, the United Nations has cited the case in a commission of inquiry accusing Israel of war crimes, a charge that Israel denies, as reported by the BBC.