The Israeli army has ordered a criminal investigation into the killing of Palestinian child Hind Rajab in Gaza City, a case that drew international attention after she spent hours on the phone with paramedics before her body was recovered.
Key facts
- The Israeli army has ordered a criminal investigation into Hind Rajab's killing.
- The child was killed in Gaza City in 2024.
- She spent hours on the phone to paramedics before her body was recovered days later.
- The BBC reports her age as six, while Sky News reports her age as five.
The Israeli army has ordered a criminal investigation into the killing of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl who died in Gaza, according to reports from the BBC and Sky News published on 19 August 2026.
The case drew widespread attention after the child spent hours on the phone to paramedics before her body was recovered days later in Gaza City in 2024, according to the BBC.
Sky News reported that the Israeli army has ordered a criminal investigation into the killing, which it described as having taken place in Gaza two years ago.
There is a discrepancy in the reported age of the child between the two outlets. The BBC described Hind Rajab as six years old, while Sky News described her as five years old.
The sources available do not provide further detail on the circumstances that led to the decision to open the investigation, nor on any findings, timelines or individuals involved.
As the investigation has only just been ordered, its scope, duration and potential outcomes remain unclear based on the information currently reported.
Why it matters
The killing of Hind Rajab became one of the most widely reported individual cases of the conflict in Gaza, drawing international attention. A formal criminal investigation by the Israeli army signals official scrutiny of the incident, though its outcome remains to be seen.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hind Rajab?
Hind Rajab was a young Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza City in 2024. The BBC reported her age as six and Sky News reported her age as five.
What happened before her death?
According to the BBC, she spent hours on the phone to paramedics before her body was recovered days later in Gaza City in 2024.
What action has the Israeli army taken?
The Israeli army has ordered a criminal investigation into the killing, according to the BBC and Sky News.