Kathmandu— More than two years after the death of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab shocked the world, the Israeli military has admitted to firing on the civilian vehicle she was trapped in and announced a criminal investigation into the incident. The admission follows years of denial and mounting international scrutiny surrounding the events of January 29, 2024, when Hind and her family came under fire while attempting to evacuate Gaza City. The family’s car was riddled with over 300 bullets, killing six relatives instantly, leaving Hind wounded amidst the bodies of her loved ones, and ultimately resulting in her death after rescue attempts were hampered by further attacks.

The Deadly Journey

On January 29, 2024, Hind Rajab and her family attempted to flee their neighborhood in Gaza City in a black Kia car driven by her uncle, following Israeli evacuation orders. Her mother, Wissam Hamada, had become separated from her daughter earlier that day. As the vehicle navigated the streets, it was subjected to a barrage of over 300 bullets fired by Israeli forces, instantly killing six family members including Hind’s fifteen-year-old cousin Layan, who managed to contact emergency dispatchers before being fatally shot. Wounded and surrounded by her relatives' bodies, five-year-old Hind desperately pleaded for help over the phone to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) workers, saying, “I’m so scared… Please come.” She also begged her mother, “Don’t leave me alone, Mama. I am tired. I am thirsty. And I am wounded.”

Ambushed Rescue Attempt

Palestinian paramedics dispatched a clearly marked ambulance to rescue Hind after receiving explicit clearance from COGAT, a branch of the Israeli military. Despite this coordination, the rescue vehicle was struck by a 120mm tank round, instantly killing both medics inside. An analysis by Avaaz revealed approximately three hours passed between the initial shooting and the attack on the ambulance, suggesting ample time for situational awareness and decision-making by Israeli forces. Sarah Andrew, legal director of Avaaz, stated, “I am absolutely convinced that this is another case of double tap,” referring to a tactic where an initial strike is followed by a second targeting emergency responders.

Unmasking Responsibility

Israel initially denied responsibility, claiming its troops were not in the area and later attributing the bullet holes to crossfire with Palestinian fighters. However, an Al Jazeera documentary produced in partnership with the Hind Rajab Foundation revealed new evidence identifying several Israeli Merkava tanks directly adjacent to the car, finding no evidence of armed exchange. The investigation named the “Vampire Empire” company, commanded by Major Sean Glass and operating under Colonel Daniel Ella, as responsible for the killings and subsequent crime scene tampering. Lieutenant Colonel Beni Aharon of the 401 Armoured Brigade was identified as the overall commander of the tanks present, while dual Israeli-Argentine national Itay Choukirkov and social media personality Shimon Zuckerman were also implicated.

Calls for Independent Investigation

On May 3, 2025, the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a war crimes complaint with the International Criminal Court in The Hague, targeting Lieutenant Colonel Aharon and paving the way for further lawsuits against battalion officers. Following this pressure and reviews of troop conduct, Israel announced its criminal probe – the first official acknowledgement of firing on the family’s car. However, human rights organizations and Hind's family have dismissed the internal investigation as a facade of accountability. Hind Hamada Rajab, the child’s grandmother, stated she does not trust the investigations or Israeli judiciary, demanding an independent international probe into her granddaughter’s death and that of other Palestinian children killed during Israel’s war on Gaza, asserting the attack was deliberate.

Wissam Hamada, Hind's mother, continues to share her daughter’s story globally despite the pain it causes, while Dyab Abou Jahjah, president of the Hind Rajab Foundation, maintains skepticism towards any Israeli justice system. The outcome of the internal investigation remains uncertain, but calls for an independent inquiry persist.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.