Israel’s military announced it would conduct criminal investigations into two significant attacks on Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza. These include the cases involving 6-year-old Hind Rajab and her family, along with the killings of 15 Palestinian paramedics. The military stated it would not pursue criminal investigations for three other incidents that resulted in the deaths of aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders.
The military provided a statement indicating that reviews had been completed for 150 incidents concerning troop actions in Gaza, with decisions reached on five specific cases. The statement, however, did not discuss other high-profile cases, such as the Israeli strikes on a southern Gaza hospital in August 2025, which resulted in the deaths of five journalists, including Mariam Dagga, who contributed to The Associated Press and other media outlets.
International attention focused on two specific incidents: the killing of Hind Rajab in February 2024 and the deaths of 15 medics in May 2025. Hind became a casualty while attempting to escape Gaza City amid an Israeli offensive, as troops opened fire on the vehicle carrying Hind and her family members. Layan Hamada, Hind’s cousin, reported the situation to the Palestinian Red Crescent, warning them about an approaching tank. After Hind and the others disappeared, they were found deceased 12 days later, confirming the worst fears.
The region of Rafah witnessed the killing of 15 paramedics when Israeli troops targeted their vehicles. Initially responding to an emergency, those ambulances became targets, buried later in a mass grave by troops. Troops’ assertions about the vehicles moving “suspiciously” did not hold up once footage showed the emergency signals and logos clearly visible. A week later, U.N. and rescue crews uncovered the site.
Eid Azizi, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent, expressed frustration, stating, “We are not obligated to prove the truth because it is already proven to the whole world.” The sentiment underscores disappointment in the military’s observance of international humanitarian law.
The conflict ignited on October 7, 2023, following an offensive by Hamas-led militants, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 people. Israel’s military response has claimed the lives of over 73,000 individuals, based on reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry. This toll includes at least 1,273 individuals in Gaza since a fragile ceasefire took effect in October. The Health Ministry’s records, widely considered reliable by U.N. agencies, include both civilian and militant casualties, with women and children accounting for roughly half of the deaths.