Israel launches military probes into two Gaza killings, including child Hind Rajab

The Israeli military (IDF) has announced it is launching criminal investigations into two specific incidents resulting in Palestinian deaths during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This decision follows a preliminary assessment by the military's investigative arm, FFAM, which reviewed a total of five cases.

The investigations will center on the deaths of five-year-old Hind Rajab, her family, and two paramedics in early 2024. Additionally, the military will examine an incident in March 2025 where a convoy of 15 Palestinian paramedics was killed in Tel al-Sultan.

The case of Hind Rajab, in particular, generated widespread outrage and horror over Israel's conduct in Gaza when it occurred in January 2024. The young girl died on January 29 after being trapped for hours in her family's car following an initial attack that killed six relatives. Rajab had been in contact with the Palestinian Red Crescent. After receiving clearance from the army to send an ambulance, the rescue vehicle was bombed upon arrival, killing the two paramedics inside. The IDF initially claimed the ambulance had moved "suspiciously" toward soldiers, but later revised this account after video evidence emerged showing the ambulance proceeding slowly with its hazard lights on and clearly marked logos.

Remains of all nine victims, including Rajab, were recovered days later. The military, however, stated it would not pursue investigations into three other cases. These include the April 2024 killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers whose convoy was struck at night near Deir al-Balah. The army claimed soldiers mistakenly identified a "suspiciously armed individual" in the vehicles as Hamas fighters, but deemed the errors insufficient grounds for criminal probes. Investigations were also declined for the deaths of two Doctors Without Borders members in Gaza City (November 2023) and Khan Yunis (February 2024).

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The army claimed soldiers mistakenly identified a "suspiciously armed individual" in the vehicles as Hamas fighters, but deemed the errors insufficient grounds for criminal probes.