Israel Confirms Soldiers Fired at Hind Rajab’s Car
Israel confirms soldiers fired at the car where five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed, opening a criminal probe into the case that sparked global outrage.
The update
Israel’s military has confirmed for the first time that its troops fired at the car in which five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed in Gaza. The admission comes alongside the opening of a criminal investigation into the March 2024 incident, which drew international condemnation.
The girl initially survived the attack and remained on the phone with paramedics for hours as she pleaded for help. An ambulance dispatched to reach her was later shelled, killing two paramedics. Hind’s body was recovered days later, along with those of six relatives.
Why it matters
The case of Hind Rajab became a symbol of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Her desperate voice, captured during a call with Palestinian Red Crescent operators, highlighted the dangers civilians face and the failures of coordination during conflict.
The IDF’s admission marks a shift from earlier statements that suggested troops were not in the area at the time. The military now states that its forces were conducting raids in the neighborhood and fired at a vehicle traveling contrary to published notices.
What to watch
• Investigation scope: The military police will examine the incident, though past probes into similar cases have rarely led to convictions.
• International condemnation: The case drew widespread international condemnation after a recording of Hind’s call was broadcast globally.
• Coordination failures: The investigation will likely scrutinize the breakdown in communication that prevented the ambulance from reaching the car.
Sources
- bbc.co.uk — Details on the initial survival, the phone call, the shelling of the ambulance, and the IDF's admission of firing.
- nytimes.com — Context on the international condemnation and the nature of military police investigations.
