More than two years after the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who became a global symbol of the suffering of children in Gaza, the Israeli military has announced the opening of a criminal investigation into the incident. The move follows years of international scrutiny regarding the circumstances of her death, which occurred on January 29, 2024, after her family was displaced from Gaza City.
Initial reports from the Israeli military denied that its forces were present in the area at the time. However, following subsequent journalistic investigations—including an analysis by Al Jazeera suggesting an Israeli tank was positioned just 13 to 23 metres away—the military shifted its stance. On Wednesday, officials acknowledged for the first time that troops had fired at a vehicle that was approaching their position.
The military stated that the decision to launch a criminal probe was based on a review of findings, citing “alleged failures in the coordination of the movement of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance.” On the night of the incident, Rajab had been trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of her relatives. Palestinian paramedics had attempted to reach the child, who was the sole survivor at the time, but were blocked by Israeli forces. Contact was eventually lost while the child was still on the phone with rescue workers.
This investigation is part of a broader review of 150 incidents involving troop conduct during the war in Gaza. The military also announced it would examine the killing of 15 Palestinian medics that occurred in March 2025. Conversely, the military stated it would not pursue criminal investigations into three other separate attacks that resulted in the deaths of aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders.
Despite the announcement, skepticism remains high among those in Gaza. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported that many residents doubt the process will lead to genuine accountability. Hind Rajab’s grandmother, who shares her name, told The Associated Press that the military’s internal review is insufficient. She reiterated calls for an international investigation to uncover the truth and ensure justice for her granddaughter and the thousands of other children killed during the conflict.
The case of Hind Rajab has garnered significant international attention, including a docu-drama about her death that was nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2026. While this marks the first time the military has initiated criminal probes into troop conduct in Gaza, such investigations into the deaths of Palestinians have historically rarely resulted in convictions. The report also notes that on January 29, 2024, at about 7:30pm, Rajab died of her injuries while she was trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of her relatives, after her family was forcibly displaced hours earlier from Gaza City. The report also notes that but on their way, Israel’s army fired more than 300 bullets at the black Kia driven by Rajab’s uncle, they had attempted to follow Israeli orders to leave. The report also notes that a 2024 Al Jazeera investigation into the killing of Rajab and her family revealed that an Israeli tank was likely 13 to 23 metres (43 to 75ft) away and would have clearly seen the civilians inside the car. The report also notes that her recorded pleas for help by phone, were widely shared on social media and led to international condemnation, rajab’s last words.
