Israeli military admits firing on car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab, orders criminal investigation

Jerusalem, August 20 — The Israeli military has admitted that its troops fired upon a vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza in 2024, announcing that it has initiated a criminal investigation into the killing. This decision came in response to international outrage following Hind's death. Hind's body was found in a bullet-ridden car in Gaza City, days after she had last been heard from in a desperate phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent on January 29, 2024.

The Israeli military had earlier denied the presence of its troops in the vicinity of the incident. The military attributed the shooting to a failure in coordinating with the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance, which was attempting to evacuate the victims. Hind Rajab had initially made an emergency call after her family's car was targeted during an attempt to flee Gaza City amid an Israeli advance.

Her body, along with those of six relatives and two Red Crescent rescuers, was eventually recovered. This tragedy sparked international outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. The military's announcement of a criminal probe aligns with Israel's commitment to transparency and the rule of law. However, the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Brussels-based legal organization, expressed skepticism about the investigation, stating that it lacked confidence in the Israeli military's ability to deliver justice.

The military also announced criminal investigations into four other high-profile incidents in Gaza, including the 2025 killing of 15 Palestinian medics and humanitarian personnel, sparking further controversy. The foundation remains unconvinced, calling the decision "inconsistent with the full truth" and demanding a more comprehensive, independent inquiry.