Israeli army opens criminal case over Hind Rajab killing

The Israeli military police are set to investigate the deaths of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and six other family members, whose vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces in January 2024. Her tragic final moments were captured as she called for help on her phone, which later served as the basis for a film titled "The Voice of Hind Rajab".

The incident is one of 150 reviewed by Israeli military prosecutors during the Gaza war. Israel maintains it was acting in self-defense after Hind's family ignored a military advance notice. Meanwhile, nine people were killed and at least 15 others injured in a recent attack in Gaza city, with the victims' remains taken to a hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, running for re-election, has vowed to maintain Israel's right to carry out attacks. The Israeli army has opened a criminal investigation into the Hind Rajab case and another in which 15 Palestinians were killed while ambulances were struck in Tel Al Sultan, Rafah. The army states that poor visibility and a field commander's dismissal were factors, but denies allegations of a systematic campaign to kill civilians.