The Killing of Hind Rajab

29 January 2024

Hind and her family were attempting to flee the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City when their car came under fire from an Israeli tank. The attack killed six of her family members, leaving Hind and her 15-year-old cousin, Layan Hamadeh, as the initial survivors. Layan called the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for help, reporting that an Israeli tank was firing at them. During the call, gunfire erupted, and Layan was killed. Hind then took over the call, pleading for assistance while trapped alone in the car with her deceased relatives. She remained on the line with PRCS dispatchers for approximately three hours, expressing fear and begging for rescue. Despite efforts to coordinate a safe passage, the ambulance dispatched to rescue her was also attacked, resulting in the deaths of two paramedics.

Investigations by The Washington Post and Forensic Architecture, utilizing satellite imagery and other evidence, confirmed the presence of Israeli tanks near the scene. The analyses indicated that the family's car was struck by hundreds of bullets at close range and that the ambulance was hit by a tank-fired shell. The Israeli tank was likely just 13 to 23 metres (42 to 75 feet) away when it opened fire on Rajab and her relatives in their car.