What happened: Hind Rajab’s killing in Gaza and the dispute over Israel’s criminal investigation

Five-year-old Hind Rajab was killed in Gaza in 2024. Hind Rajab’s grandmother said Hind Rajab’s family does not trust Israel’s criminal investigation into Hind Rajab’s death. Hind Rajab’s grandmother also alleged that Israel’s criminal investigation is meant to provide “justification” after Israeli military forces killed Hind Rajab rather than establish facts for accountability.

Hind Rajab’s grandmother’s account includes the following reported details: Hind Rajab’s body was found in a car “riddled with bullets.” Hind Rajab’s body was found days after Hind Rajab was last heard calling for help by phone.

Background and earlier position: why civilian-death cases focus on investigation credibility

In armed conflict, allegations of civilian deaths often raise questions about whether authorities can investigate in a way that clarifies key facts, such as what happened and the circumstances surrounding the use of force. Victims’ families may challenge investigations if they believe the investigative process cannot reliably establish the facts or cannot lead to accountability.

In Hind Rajab’s case, Hind Rajab’s grandmother’s position is that Hind Rajab’s family has no trust in Israel’s criminal investigation into Hind Rajab’s death in Gaza in 2024.

Related current affairs