Remembering Hind Rajab: a war crime that shook the world’s conscience

On the 1st anniversary of Hind’s death on Wednesday, her story continues to resonate, drawing attention to the devastating toll of war on innocent civilians 

Muslim Network TV News

GAZA, Palestine (MNTV) – On January 29 last year, the world lost Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl whose tragic death epitomized the horrors of the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

At the first anniversary of her lamentable death on Wednesday, her story continues to resonate, drawing attention to the devastating toll of war on innocent civilians and the alarming impunity to commit violations of international law.

Born on May 3, 2018, Hind Rajab symbolized the vulnerability of children in war zones. 

On that fateful day, she and six members of her family were attempting to flee the violence engulfing Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood. Their black Kia vehicle was struck by an Israeli tank shell, killing Hind’s aunt, uncle and four cousins instantly. Only Hind and her 15-year-old cousin, Layan Hamadeh, survived the initial attack.

Layan, in a desperate plea for help, called the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), sobbing as she described their harrowing situation: “They are shooting at us. The tank is right next to me. We’re in the car, the tank is right next to us.”

Moments later, the sound of gunfire cut her voice short. Hind, now the only survivor, stayed on the line with PRCS dispatchers for three agonizing hours, pleading for rescue: “I’m so scared. Please come. Come take me. Please, will you come?”

Hind’s grandfather later revealed the extent of her injuries, including wounds to her back, hand, and foot. Despite repeated assurances that help was on the way, Hind’s cries for rescue went unanswered as Israeli forces reportedly targeted the ambulance that had been sent to save her. 

It was not until 12 days later, following an Israeli military withdrawal, that her body, along with those of her family and the paramedics, was discovered near the car riddled with bullet holes.

The Israeli military initially denied responsibility for the attack, claiming no troops were present in the vicinity. However, multiple investigations by independent organizations, including Forensic Architecture, The Washington Post, and the United Nations, refuted these assertions. 

Forensic Architecture’s report concluded that Israeli tanks were present in the area, with one firing an estimated 335 rounds at the family’s vehicle. It further determined that the ambulance dispatched to rescue Hind was deliberately targeted.

UN-appointed experts expressed outrage at the findings, emphasizing the systematic nature of such attacks. 

“The killing of Hind Rajab, her family, and the paramedics may amount to a war crime,” stated Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions. 

“The absence of proper investigation and accountability, even a year later, is deeply troubling and, in itself, constitutes a violation of the right to life.”

UN experts also criticized Israel’s claims of non-involvement as “unacceptable,” highlighting satellite imagery and forensic evidence that placed Israeli tanks near the site. 

“The deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers, as seen in Hind’s case, is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of indiscriminate violence against protected persons in Gaza,” said Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.

Broader pattern of violence

The tragedy of Hind Rajab unfolded against the backdrop of the utter devastation of Gaza by the genocidal Israeli assault. 

“This is not an isolated case,” emphasized Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on countering terrorism. 

“We are extremely troubled by the apparent pattern of targeted attacks on civilians and humanitarian zones. Hind’s family, like many others, were fleeing under so-called ‘evacuation orders’ when they were mercilessly gunned down.”

The UN experts pointed to several similar incidents, including the bombing of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office, which killed 22 displaced civilians, and attacks on IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps that claimed hundreds of lives. 

“These acts demonstrate a systematic disregard for international humanitarian law,” they added.

Hind’s death sparked a global wave of grief and outrage. Free-Palestinian activists organized protests worldwide, demanding justice for her and the thousands of civilians killed in Gaza. In the U.S., university students renamed buildings in her honor. At Columbia University, a banner declaring “Hind’s Hall” was unfurled during a campus occupation. In May 2024, UC Berkeley students renamed an abandoned complex “Hind’s House” as a tribute to her memory.

Artists and musicians joined the calls for justice. American rapper Macklemore released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song that criticized the world’s silence. In a statement accompanying the release, he said, “Hind’s story is a reminder of the cost of indifference. We cannot turn away.” Proceeds from the song were donated to UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees.

Critics also took aim at the Western media for their portrayal of Hind’s death. Activists accused outlets of “adultifying” the five-year-old, noting that CNN referred to her as “a woman killed in Gaza.” Others highlighted the discrepancy in coverage, contrasting the muted response to Hind’s killing with the empathetic coverage of children affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UN calls for accountability

On the eve of Hind’s death anniversary, UN experts have renewed calls for accountability. 

“The deliberate or indiscriminate killing of civilians, including children and medical personnel, amounts to a war crime,” stressed Claudia Flores, a member of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. 

“If these crimes are systemic, they rise to the level of crimes against humanity.”

Experts urged the international community to act decisively. “The impunity surrounding these crimes must end,” said Laura Nyirinkindi, Vice-Chair of the UN Working Group. 

“We call on Israel to allow independent investigations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

The UN also appealed for immediate humanitarian relief for Gaza’s population. “The systemic targeting of humanitarian zones and IDP shelters leaves no safe place in Gaza,” warned Tidball-Binz. “This must stop. The world cannot stand by and allow these atrocities to continue.”

Mother’s plea and legacy

For Hind’s mother, the pain of losing her daughter remains raw. “How many more children must be killed before the world acts?” she asked. Her plea echoes the calls of countless Palestinian families who have endured unimaginable loss.

As the world remembers Hind Rajab on the first anniversary of her death, her story continues to symbolize the resilience of Gaza’s people and the urgent need for justice. From protests and songs to calls for international accountability, her name has become a rallying cry against war crimes and impunity. Hind’s memory endures, not only as a reminder of the horrors of war but as a testament to the enduring hope for peace and justice. Her story compels the world to confront uncomfortable truths and strive for a future where no child must suffer the same fate.