Israel confirms soldiers fired at car in which Hind Rajab was killed and opens criminal investigation - BBC News

The five-year-old Palestinian girl initially survived the attack and pleaded for help but her body was recovered later with those of six of her relatives.

Image source, Family/ReutersByYolande Knell and Lucy Williamson, Middle East correspondents, Reporting fromJerusalemPublished19 August 2026Updated 20 August 2026 05:17 BSTThe Israeli military has confirmed for the first time that it opened fire on a car carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed along with six relatives in Gaza in 2024.

Rajab initially survived the attack and answered a telephone call during which she pleaded for help. The call lasted hours.

An ambulance sent to reach her – in a move co-ordinated with the Israeli army - was then shelled, killing two paramedics. Hind's body was recovered days later, along with the others killed.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it would open a criminal investigation into Hind, her family and the paramedics' killings, as well as the killing of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker, in March 2025.

'Will you come and get me?' Gaza girl's desperate plea before losing contact