The Israeli military has confirmed for the first time that its troops opened fire on a car carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed along with six relatives in Gaza in 2024. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it would open a criminal investigation into the incident, which drew widespread international condemnation.

Hind's killing gained global attention after a recording of her desperate pleas for help to Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedics was broadcast. She had initially survived an attack on her family's car and spent hours on the phone with operators, describing tanks in front of her vehicle and pleading to be rescued.

In its statement, the IDF indicated that its forces fired at a vehicle traveling "contrary to the advanced notice" provided by the IDF Spokesperson regarding movement in the area. The military's initial assertion that no troops were present at the time of the incident was later questioned, with the IDF subsequently stating that forces were conducting raids on terror targets in the vicinity, including Tel al-Hawa, where Hind was located.

The implications of this confirmation and investigation are significant, potentially shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Hind, her relatives, and the PRCS paramedics who attempted to rescue her. It also raises questions about the IDF's initial statements and the protocols governing troop actions in civilian areas.

The PRCS ambulance dispatched to rescue Hind, with the coordinated approval of the Israeli army, was shelled after nearing the location. The two paramedics on board, Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun, were killed, and all contact with them and Hind was lost. The PRCS later confirmed their deaths and the destruction of the ambulance.

PRCS operator Rana Faqih, who remained on the line with Hind for hours, described the child's fear and her repeated requests for rescue. Faqih expressed feelings of paralysis and helplessness as she listened to Hind's desperate situation, with the child asking about the distance to her rescuer's home and noting the encroaching darkness.

The IDF statement also mentioned a decision to initiate a criminal investigation by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division into the killing of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker, in March 2025, citing alleged failures in the coordination of the ambulance's movement. Both incidents have been subject to international scrutiny and calls for accountability.

This investigation marks a shift from the IDF's initial stance and represents a formal acknowledgment of troop involvement in the fatal incident. The findings are expected to be closely watched by international bodies and human rights organizations concerned with the conduct of military operations and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.