Israel confirms it opened fire on vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza

BREAKING: Israel confirms for the first time its forces opened fire on the vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza, and says it will open a criminal investigation into her killing and that of paramedics sent to rescue her.

Israel has admitted, for the first time, firing on Hind Rajab's vehicle.

She was five years old. In January 2024 she was fleeing Gaza City with six members of her family when their car came under Israeli fire. She survived the initial attack, and for hours she spoke to the Palestinian Red Crescent by phone, pleading for rescue. The ambulance sent to reach her, in a move coordinated with the Israeli army, was shelled. Two paramedics died. So did Hind. Her face has been carried at protests around the world ever since.

The IDF first said no troops were in the area. Today it says a criminal investigation is being opened by military police, citing alleged failures in coordinating the ambulance. It also announced an investigation into the killing of fifteen Palestinians near Rafah, while finding no grounds to investigate the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers.

It took two and a half years to admit the fire came from Israeli forces. Hind's recorded pleas were heard around the world in days.

This is Sara White, reporting for HIT.

Source Read the original reporting at bbc.co.uk