Israel’s Military Launches Criminal Investigations in Gaza

Israel’s military has announced its first criminal investigations into troop conduct in Gaza. The focus is on the killings of 5-year-old Hind Rajab, her family, and 15 Palestinian paramedics. However, the military decided against investigating other attacks that killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders.

Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, criticized the decision as ‘wrong and painful.’ The incidents have sparked significant international criticism. Hind Rajab was in a vehicle with her relatives, pleading for help by phone before she was killed in February 2024.

After the 15 medics were shot in March 2025, their bodies were bulldozed into a mass grave. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 73,000 deaths, with a significant number being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Rights groups and U.N. commissions have stated the campaign amounts to genocide and includes war crimes, such as indiscriminate force and civilian killings. Israel denies these accusations, claiming they target Hamas, which operates in populated areas.

Israeli officials assert the country’s justice system can tackle troop violations. Rights groups, however, argue soldiers often escape accountability. The statement omitted other high-profile killings, including attacks on a hospital in southern Gaza in August 2025, where five journalists were killed.

Hind Rajab’s grandmother believes an Israeli investigation is inadequate and calls for international accountability. The military admitted to firing at the vehicle carrying the 5-year-old and her relatives during the invasion. Gunshots continued as a paramedic stayed in touch with them until contact was lost.

Director Dyab Abou Jahjah labeled the investigations a ‘charade.’ The Palestinian Red Crescent echoed the demand for an international inquiry. A docudrama about Hind’s death, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ has won international acclaim.

Regarding paramedics’ deaths, troops fired on an ambulance and subsequent rescue vehicles. The footage showed these teams with emergency lights on. A deputy commander was ordered to step down over the incident.

Red Crescent spokesperson Eid Azizi emphasized the evidence is clear without needing further proof. Israel opted not to investigate the World Central Kitchen strike, claiming the convoy was mistaken for Hamas operatives. World Central Kitchen criticized the military’s account and called for an independent probe.

Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong expressed outrage, considering the steps taken insufficient. She pledged her government would keep pursuing answers.

Israel won’t take criminal actions over Doctors Without Borders staff killings in separate instances. Military investigators will proceed with the probes, presenting their findings to prosecutors. The military advocate general may choose additional investigations, indictments, or no charges.

Rights group HaMoked’s Tal Steiner doubts significant action will follow. Convictions are rare, with only one soldier jailed since 2023 for prisoner abuse. Yesh Din found only 0.17% of investigations led to prosecutions between 2014 and 2022.

The ongoing conflict, starting Oct. 7, 2023, led to Hamas killing 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducting 251. Israeli strikes continue despite a ceasefire, killing over 1,270 people, according to the Health Ministry. U.N. and independent agencies recognize the ministry’s casualty records as reliable.