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

The Israeli military has confirmed for the first time that it opened fire on a vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab and six members of her family in Gaza City during the war in Gaza.The Palestinian child initially survived the attack in January 2024 that killed several family members, but her body was recovered days later along with her relatives.After the attack, Hind managed to answer a telephone call from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which lasted hours. An ambulance it sent to reach her – in a move coordinated with the Israeli army - was then shelled, killing two paramedics. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that following a review it would be opening a criminal investigation."Due to alleged failures in the coordination of the movement of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance, it has been decided to initiate a criminal investigation of the incident by Military Police Criminal Investigation Division", it said.The IDF initially stated that none of its troops were in the area at the time of Hind's killing. However, that suggestion was soon questioned.The IDF later said it had "conducted raids on terror targets" with forces operating in neighbourhoods in Gaza City, including Tel al-Hawa, where Hind was located. Hind's killing was internationally condemned after a desperate recording of her speaking to paramedics was broadcast around the world.