Israel admits firing on car carrying Hind Rajab, symbol of Gaza's suffering
Al Jazeera Staff
The Israeli military has admitted, for the first time, to firing on the vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab, who became a symbol of Gaza's child casualties. The admission accompanies a criminal investigation into her death, announced after years of denials.
More than two years after Hind Rajab was killed, becoming a symbol of the suffering of children in Gaza, the Israeli military — long accused of responsibility for the tragedy — has announced a criminal investigation into the death of the five-year-old. This marks the first time Israel has acknowledged firing on the vehicle carrying her.
Previously, Israel denied that its soldiers were present in the area at the time of the incident. Following press investigations, including one by Al Jazeera, the military acknowledged it had raided “terrorist targets” in Gaza City that day. By January of this year, Israeli officials said they were reviewing the case.
According to a statement by the Israeli military on January 29, the criminal investigation was ordered after reviewing findings “concerning alleged failures in coordinating the movement of a Palestine Red Crescent ambulance”. The military also stated that soldiers had “fired at a vehicle approaching them”.
The incident occurred on January 29, 2024, at approximately 19:30, when Hind died from her wounds while trapped in a car among the bodies of her relatives, after the family had been forced to leave Gaza City hours earlier. Along the way, Israeli forces fired more than 300 bullets at the black Kia driven by her uncle.
Palestine Red Crescent staff attempted to reach the girl to rescue her but were blocked by Israeli forces. Medics dispatched an ambulance to rescue her — the sole survivor — and maintained phone contact until the signal was lost.
This is the first time Israel has admitted firing on the vehicle carrying Hind. However, investigations into misconduct by Israeli soldiers relating to the deaths of Palestinians rarely lead to convictions.
Hind Rajab's grandmother, also named Hind Rajab, said the Israeli investigation is insufficient and called for an international investigation into the death of her granddaughter and the thousands of children killed in the Gaza war. She said: “An international investigation is needed to uncover the truth and bring all those responsible to justice. We call for justice, not just for Hind but for all of Gaza's children.”
Alongside the Hind Rajab case, the Israeli military also announced it would review the case of 15 Palestinian medical workers killed in March 2025. Both incidents have sparked international shock. The Israeli military said it has reviewed 150 cases concerning the conduct of soldiers in the Gaza war but will not conduct criminal investigations into three other attacks that killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Médecins Sans Frontières.
Hind's final phone call for help was widely shared on social media, leading to international condemnation. A 2024 Al Jazeera investigation showed Israeli tanks may have been positioned 13–23 meters from the girl's car and could clearly see civilians inside. A documentary about Hind's death was nominated at the 2026 Oscars for Best International Feature Film.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud in Gaza said residents there are skeptical that the investigation will bring justice for Hind and her family.
