Gaza city: Two years after the tragic killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab by Israeli forces, the military has acknowledged responsibility for firing on her family's car and the Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance sent to rescue her. For many, the announcement of a criminal investigation is seen as a pivotal development in one of the conflict's most emblematic cases.
According to TRTworld.com, Hinds mother, Wessam Hamadah, remains skeptical of the military investigation's ability to bring true justice. She argues that justice cannot be measured merely by an investigation when Palestinian children continue to die amidst ongoing violence. Hind's death has come to symbolize the suffering of Gaza's children, as her final pleas for help transcended borders and inspired the globally recognized docuseries, "The Voice of Hind Rajab."
On January 29, 2024, Hind and her family were evacuating Gaza City following orders from the Israeli military. During their escape, their vehicle was attacked with over 300 bullets by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of her uncle, other relatives, and eventually, her 15-year-old cousin, Layan, who had been communicating with PRCS dispatchers. Hind, the lone survivor for hours, was trapped, reaching out to the PRCS for help until communication was lost.
Initially, Israeli authorities denied military operations in the area on the day of Hind's death. However, after extensive journalistic investigations, they admitted to engaging in operations against "terror targets" in Gaza City. This acknowledgment led to the recent announcement of a criminal investigation into the incident, specifically citing "an alleged failure in the coordination of the movement of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance."
Despite this development, criminal investigations into alleged misconduct by Israeli forces have seldom resulted in convictions. Since the war on Gaza began in October 2023, multiple ceasefires have failed to stem the violence, with over 64,000 children killed or injured between October 2023 and October 2025, according to the UN. Even after a ceasefire on October 10, 2025, violence continued, claiming the lives of at least 300 children in the following 300 days.
Hind's mother, Wessam, still feels the presence of her daughter in everyday life. She recalls Hind's perceptive and caring nature, her apologies for causing extra work, and her dreams of becoming a doctor. These memories now hold a deeper significance for Wessam, who questions the timing and credibility of the current investigation. She demands an independent, international investigation for transparency and accountability.
For Wessam, justice involves more than holding individuals accountable; it requires ending the violence against Palestinian children. She hopes that future investigations will not only provide answers but also prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. "Justice is that the killing of children stops," she emphasizes.