Who Was Hind Rajab? The Palestinian Girl Killed By Israeli Forces In Gaza

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has opened a criminal investigation into the killing of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, more than two years after her death in Gaza, reviving scrutiny over the circumstances of the shooting and the military's initial denial of involvement. Rajab's mother, Wesam Hamada, has rejected the probe and called for an independent investigation, questioning why the IDF acknowledged the incident only after more than two years.

The case has drawn international attention since Rajab, who was five years old at the time, was trapped in a car with relatives after it came under Israeli fire in Gaza City in January 2024. She remained on the phone with emergency dispatchers for hours, pleading for help, while an ambulance sent to rescue her was also attacked, killing two paramedics.

Who Was Hind Rajab? What Happened In Gaza

Five-year-old Rajab was killed in Gaza City in January 2024 after the car carrying her and relatives came under Israeli fire. She survived the initial attack and spent hours on the phone with emergency dispatchers, pleading for help.

An ambulance sent to rescue her was also attacked, killing two paramedics. Hind and six of her relatives were found dead 12 days later. The IDF initially said its troops were not in the area but has now acknowledged that its forces fired at the family’s car and announced a criminal investigation.

Her mother, Wesam Hamada, demanded an independent probe, according to Times of Israel. She recounted the last harrowing phone call with her daughter. “All I remember is her voice pleading, ‘Mama, I’m scared. Mama, I’m hungry. Mama, I’m hurt,’” she said. “Her voice keeps repeating in my ears.”

The Israel Defense Forces said this week that its troops had opened fire on the family’s vehicle after it approached them while travelling “in the opposite direction to an evacuation route” that the military had designated for residents in the area.

Five people inside the car were reportedly killed in the Israeli gunfire, while Hind Rajab and her cousin Layan initially survived the attack. Rajab remained on the phone with emergency dispatchers for hours, repeatedly asking for assistance as gunfire could be heard around her.

A Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance sent to rescue her was subsequently struck by a shell, killing the two paramedics aboard, according to reports at the time.

Hind Rajab's Mother Rejects Israeli Investigation

Rajab’s kin and the emergency responders from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society expressed doubts on whether the IDF could deliver justice.

“Why did the investigation and the acknowledgment of the shooting at Hind’s car and at the paramedics come only after more than two years?” Hamada said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s an attempt to distract from what’s happening in Gaza and improve the [Israeli] army’s image to the world. That’s it.”

US Representative of Illinois's 3rd congressional district, Delia Ramirez, too expressed her misgivings at the decision. In a post on X, she said, “Just like we can't trust ICE to investigate itself, we can’t trust the perpetrators of a genocide to investigate their crimes. We demand an independent investigation into the war crimes committed by Israel.”

The Voice of Hind Rajab, Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated documentary on the issue, was earlier blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to political reasons, according to the film’s local distributor. CBFC denied certification, citing it would impact “India’s relations with Israel”. The film was later submitted to the CBFC’s revising committee.

The Voice of Hind Rajab follows the killing of 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, killed by Israeli forces in 2024 during the Gaza war. The phone recording of Rajab’s voice to the Palestinian Red Cross Society is used in the film. It arrived in India on June 19 and was given an ‘A’ cerrtificate.

It was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.