Israel confirms firing at vehicle carrying 5-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza

The Israeli army has confirmed for the first time that it opened fire on a vehicle carrying 5-year-old Hind Rajab and six members of her family in Gaza City during the war. The incident occurred in January 2024 and initially left Hind injured, but her body was later recovered along with those of her relatives.

## The incident The Israeli army's confirmation comes after an initial denial of involvement in the incident. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), a review of the incident has led to the decision to open a criminal investigation. The investigation will be conducted by the Military Police's Criminal Investigation Division and will focus on alleged failures in the coordination of the movement of a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance that was sent to rescue Hind.

The ambulance was attacked with artillery fire, resulting in the deaths of two paramedics. The IDF initially claimed that none of its troops were in the area at the time of Hind's death, but this statement was later contradicted. The IDF later stated that it had conducted operations against terrorist targets in the Gaza City neighborhood of Tel al-Hawa, where Hind was located.

## International condemnation Hind's death sparked international condemnation after a desperate recording of her speaking with paramedics was widely shared. The recording captured her pleas for rescue as she and her family attempted to flee the IDF's incursion into their Gaza City neighborhood. The line went dead as the sound of gunfire could be heard in the background.

The United Nations cited Hind's case in an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel, which the country denies. The IDF has also announced that it will investigate the deaths of 15 Palestinians, including medical personnel and a UN worker, that occurred near Rafah in southern Gaza last year.

## Investigations and accountability In addition to the investigation into Hind's death, the IDF has stated that it will not pursue criminal investigations into three other cases involving the deaths of Palestinian civilians. These cases include the deaths of seven employees of World Central Kitchen in Deir al-Bahah two years ago and four employees of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) who were killed in two separate incidents.

The IDF is under pressure to demonstrate that it is conducting its own investigations into alleged war crimes in order to avoid international legal action, particularly from the International Criminal Court. The goal is to refute accusations of war crimes and impunity within its ranks.

| Incident | Location | Number of Deaths | | --- | --- | --- | | Hind Rajab | Gaza City | 7 | | Palestinian civilians | Rafah | 15 | | World Central Kitchen employees | Deir al-Bahah | 7 | | MSF employees | Various | 4 |