Israel launches investigation into deaths of Palestinian child and rescue workers in Gaza

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday it is launching an internal criminal investigation into the death of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in the Gaza Strip in January 2024, and the deaths of 15 rescue workers in March 2025. The announcement came after the army concluded an analysis of 150 cases concerning the conduct of Israeli soldiers during the ongoing war against Hamas.

According to the Israeli armed forces, cited by the Associated Press (AP), the investigation into Rajab's death and the rescue workers' deaths is part of a broader review. The army stated it would not initiate proceedings in three other incidents involving attacks that resulted in the deaths of humanitarian aid workers from organizations like World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders.

Hind Rajab was killed along with her relatives while attempting to flee the city of Gaza during the Israeli offensive. Reports indicate that Israeli forces opened fire on the vehicle carrying the girl, her four cousins, and her aunt and uncle. In a separate incident in March 2025, Israeli soldiers reportedly fired on a convoy of rescue vehicles, killing 15 Palestinian medics and humanitarian workers, including eight members of the Palestinian Red Crescent. The bodies and destroyed vehicles were later found buried at the scene.

The AP noted that the army's statement did not mention other high-profile attacks, such as the one on a hospital in southern Gaza that reportedly killed five journalists in August 2025. The ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. Gaza's Hamas-run health authorities report over 73,000 Palestinian fatalities since the offensive began.