On January 29, 2024, in Gaza City, the death of 5-year-old Hind Rajab sent shockwaves globally as she was trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of six relatives, pleading for help from her mother and emergency workers in her final hours. After obtaining clearance from the Israeli military, a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance rushed to save the girl, but the marked vehicle with sirens blaring came under Israeli tank fire, killing two paramedics. The remains of the nine victims were recovered 12 days later.
Two years after the tragedy, a report by the global campaign group Avaaz claims this was a "double-tap" attack by the Israeli army, alleging violations of international combat law under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. Avaaz states, "By reconstructing the coordination and timing around the approved ambulance mission, it shows substantial evidence of a deliberate 'double-tap' tactic – an initial military strike followed by a deliberately timed second strike targeting emergency responders and medical personnel arriving to help."
The report highlights that the ambulance received permission from COGAT, an Israeli military unit, to aid Hind, meaning Israeli forces knew exactly when first responders would arrive and their route. Approximately three hours elapsed between the initial shooting of the family vehicle and the attack on the ambulance, indicating the Israeli army had ample opportunity for "situational awareness, communication, and command decision-making." Avaaz asserts the assault "points to lethal targeting" rather than a warning shot.
The Israeli government initially claimed none of its forces were present at the scene, later alleging that 335 bullet holes in the family's car resulted from an exchange of fire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters. However, an investigation by Forensic Architecture at the University of London, analyzing satellite imagery and audio from that day, identified only several Israeli Merkava tanks near the family's car and no evidence of any exchange of fire.
The Avaaz report notes that over 1,500 healthcare workers have been killed during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, including several since a purported "ceasefire" took effect in October. The group contends the double strike constitutes a war crime and is urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring those responsible to justice. The Hind Rajab Foundation stated in a release that they have identified 24 names of responsible perpetrators and are open to collaborating with Avaaz on a filing regarding the ambulance attack.
Source: www.aljazeera.com