Five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab.
'Israel' opens criminal probe into killing of Hind Rajab
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- 'Israeli' military probes killing of Hind Rajab.
- Criminal investigation launched into 2024 Gaza killing.
- Army probes alleged failures in ambulance coordination.
- Five-year-old was trapped with slain family members.
The 'Israeli' military said on Wednesday that it has ordered a criminal investigation into the killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in Gaza, whose death in January 2024 sparked international outrage after recordings of her final pleas for help were made public.
Hind was fleeing Gaza City alongside her family on January 29, 2024, when their vehicle came under fire. Her body was discovered days later in a car riddled with bullet holes, following an excruciating hours-long phone call to dispatchers at the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
In a statement released Wednesday, the 'Israeli' military confirmed that the decision to open a criminal probe was handed down following a preliminary assessment of troop conduct during the operation.
"Following review of the findings and due to alleged failures in the coordination of the movement of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance, it has been decided to initiate a criminal investigation of the incident by Military Police Criminal Investigation Division," the 'Israeli' military stated.
The criminal probe centers on the events of January 29, 2024, when Rajab and six members of her family attempted to evacuate.
After the initial gunfire killed her relatives, Rajab remained trapped inside the vehicle for hours while in direct contact with PRCS dispatchers.
The emergency crew dispatched to retrieve the trapped child, along with Rajab herself, were subsequently found dead once 'Israeli' forces withdrew from the immediate area.
The 'Israeli' military's statement cited alleged operational failures regarding the movement and coordination of the dispatch crew sent to recover the young girl, prompting the transfer of the case to the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division for formal review.
