Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl, was found dead under a car in Gaza. On Jan. 29, 2024, Rajab and her family were fleeing from the fighting in northern Gaza, until they fell under Israeli fire, according to CNN.
Rajab and everyone in the car were found killed by the Israel Defense Forces near the Fares petrol station in the Tal Al-Hawa area, southwest of Gaza City, after about two weeks of her unknown fate due to the Israeli military operation in the area, according to Khader Al Za’anoun, a Palestinian journalist working for CNN who spoke to the child’s grandfather. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed the death of two medics that were dispatched to the family.
Layan Hamadeh, Rajab’s cousin who was in the car, made a desperate call for help to the emergency services. Luckily, the PCRS recorded that. In the recording, there were sounds of gunshots in the distance and heavy artillery near them. “They’re shooting at us, the tank is right next to me, we’re in the car, the tank is right next to us,” said Hamadeh.
As the recording went on, the artillery eventually stopped. Hamadeh went silent and the artillery stopped. The paramedic tried to get a hold of her but received no response.
Alone and scared, Rajab tried one last call for help. “Come take me. Will you come and take me? I’m so scared, please come!”
This is just one case out of the hundreds of Palestinian children being killed each day. As the war continues, change will be needed to protect these vulnerable children.
