‘We do not trust Israeli judiciary’ says Hind Rajab’s grandmother

The Israeli military has announced a criminal investigation into the killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza. Rajab died on January 29, 2024, after the vehicle she was in was fired upon by Israeli troops. The military stated that troops "fired at a vehicle that was approaching them," marking the first time Israel has admitted shooting at the car. This admission follows journalistic investigations and a review of the case. The investigation will also examine alleged failures in the coordination of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance attempting to reach Rajab. Rajab had become a symbol of suffering for children in Gaza.

The Israeli military has confirmed it opened fire on a vehicle carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab and six family members in Gaza City in January 2024. Hind initially survived the attack, which killed her relatives, but her body was recovered days later. A Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance sent to rescue her, coordinated with the Israeli army, was subsequently shelled, killing two paramedics. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it would open a criminal investigation into alleged failures in the ambulance's movement coordination. Initially, the IDF claimed no troops were in the area, but later acknowledged conducting raids on terror targets in the neighborhood where Hind was located. Hind's death drew international condemnation after a recording of her speaking to paramedics was widely broadcast.

The Israeli military has admitted that its troops fired on a car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab and six family members in Gaza in 2024, leading to their deaths. The military has ordered a criminal investigation into the incident, which prompted international outrage. Hind died after a desperate plea for rescue, and an ambulance sent to save her also came under fire, killing two medics. The IDF also admitted troops fired on the ambulance. Separately, the IDF is launching a criminal investigation into the killing of 15 Palestinian medics and humanitarian personnel in March 2025 near Rafah. However, the IDF decided not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 airstrikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers, stating commanders' decisions did not raise suspicion of criminal misconduct, a decision strongly disagreed with by the aid group.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed outrage over Israel's decision not to prosecute individuals responsible for the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Frankcom, along with six colleagues from World Central Kitchen, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April 2024. Minister Wong stated that the decision "falls far short of the accountability we expect" and announced she would summon the Israeli ambassador. She highlighted that the Israeli Defense Forces had admitted the strikes resulted from serious procedural failures, mistaken identification, and errors in decision-making. Australia will continue to press Israel for justice for Frankcom and her colleagues.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed "outrage" and will summon the Israeli ambassador following Israel's decision not to pursue criminal proceedings against those responsible for the April 2024 drone strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six other World Central Kitchen staff in Gaza. Wong called the decision, announced on World Humanitarian Day, "especially insulting" and stated it falls short of the accountability Australia expects, especially given IDF admissions of serious failures in procedures, mistaken identification, and errors in decision-making. The IDF claimed it mistook individuals in the convoy for Hamas operatives and that the convoy deviated from its coordinated route. World Central Kitchen strongly disagrees with Israel's account and the decision, asserting the IDF knew their team was unarmed and their vehicles were clearly marked. Australia is pressing Israel for justice for Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

Israeli air strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 10 Palestinians in two separate attacks. One strike targeted the municipal police headquarters in Gaza City, killing nine people, including police officials, and wounding 15. This attack occurred near a park crowded with civilians. Another strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp killed one Palestinian. Hamas, which governs Gaza, condemned the attacks as "a new war crime" and rejected Israel's claim that it targeted Hamas commanders, calling the justification "baseless and false." The Israeli army stated it struck Hamas commanders in both locations.

Deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 10 people, casting doubt on progress for a ceasefire just two days after U.S. negotiators reportedly urged Israel to reduce attacks. The strikes targeted Hamas commanders, with Israel stating one was involved in the October 7th attack and another was planning future attacks. Additionally, Israeli troops crossed into southern Gaza and detained a Hamas police colonel. These events occurred despite a visit by U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner, who had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to draw down attacks. The article also notes that Israel's military is investigating 150 incidents of troop conduct, including the killings of a child and paramedics. Ceasefire negotiations remain stalled due to disagreements over Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal conditions.

An inquest judge has ruled that British soldiers "lost control" and used unreasonable force during the 1972 Springhill shootings in west Belfast, resulting in the deaths of five civilians. The judge found that four of the victims, including two teenagers, a father, and a Catholic priest, posed no threat when they were shot on July 9, 1972. Two soldiers, identified as A and E, were found to have overreacted and fired prematurely, acting in breach of rules governing lethal force. The report stated that four of the deceased were unarmed, and the fifth's armament was unclear, concluding that none should have been shot under the circumstances. The ruling, delivered 54 years later, has been described by a victim's sister as bringing long-awaited clarity and justice.

Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into a United States airstrike on a migrant detention facility in Saada, Yemen, as a potential war crime. The April 28, 2025, strike reportedly killed at least 68 detainees and injured 47. Amnesty states the facility, which had been visited by the ICRC and UN, showed no signs of military use. The organization criticizes the Trump administration's approach to air strikes in Yemen, citing a disregard for civilian lives. Survivors continue to suffer physical and psychological harm, with many lacking access to necessary treatment and financial support.