Israel confirms firing on vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza
BBC News – Jerusalem (19 August 2026)
The Israeli military has for the first time acknowledged opening fire on a vehicle transporting five-year-old Hind Rajab and her family in Gaza City during the 2024 conflict.
The Palestinian child, who initially survived the January 2024 attack that killed several relatives, was later recovered along with their bodies. After the incident, Hind managed to speak with a representative from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society for hours before an ambulance sent to reach her was shelled, killing two paramedics.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they will be conducting a criminal investigation into the case, citing "alleged failures in the coordination of the movement" of the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance.
Initially, the IDF claimed none of its troops were present at the site during Hind’s killing. However, this claim was disputed. They later admitted to carrying out raids on terror targets in Gaza City neighborhoods, including Tel al-Hawa, where the Rajab family resided.
Hind’s death sparked international outrage after a recording of her pleading for help went viral. Her story was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film titled The Voice of Hind Rajab. The UN, among others, has accused Israel of war crimes in connection to this incident.
Aside from the Hind case, the IDF also announced investigations into the deaths of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker near Rafah in southern Gaza last year. They concluded that no criminal investigation was warranted in three other cases involving World Central Kitchen and Médecins Sans Frontières employees killed in separate incidents.
The IDF is under international pressure to conduct internal investigations to avoid potential legal action from bodies like the International Criminal Court.
