Israel Orders Criminal Probes into Hind Rajab, Paramedic Killings

The Israeli military released findings on five Gaza incidents, ordering criminal probes in two cases and rejecting allegations its forces deliberately target humanitarian personnel.

Criminal investigations will examine the 2024 killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab and six family members, along with two Red Crescent paramedics. A probe also targets the 2025 killing of 15 Palestinian medics and humanitarian personnel. The military admitted its troops fired on the car carrying Hind Rajab in 2024. Hind Rajab initially survived the attack and pleaded for help during a phone call.

An ambulance dispatched to rescue her, coordinated with the Israeli army, was shelled, killing two paramedics. The Israel Defense Forces cited alleged failures in the coordination of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance movement for initiating a criminal investigation. The IDF findings indicate troops fired at a vehicle traveling contrary to an advance notice. The military initially stated no troops were in the area at the time of Hind's killing, but later said forces operated in Tel al-Hawa where Hind was located.

Hind Rajab's grandmother rejected the Israeli military probe, calling for an independent international investigation. She stated the family has no confidence in Israeli investigations or the Israeli judiciary. Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, condemned the decision not to probe the WCK deaths as wrong and painful. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the decisions reflect Israel's commitment to the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. The IDF has completed investigations into about 150 cases since the war began.