Israel’s military announced on Wednesday the initiation of its first criminal investigations into the conduct of troops involved in operations during the conflict in Gaza. The probes will specifically examine the deaths of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl killed in 2024, and 15 Palestinian paramedics who died in March 2025.

Hind Rajab’s case has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally. Her body was found inside a bullet-riddled car in Gaza City, nearly two weeks after she was last heard from through a prolonged phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent on January 29, 2024. The incident sparked widespread condemnation, and a documentary depicting her death received the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival and earned a nomination for an Academy Award.

Despite the military’s announcement of the investigations, critics expressed skepticism regarding the prospects for accountability. Dan Owen, a researcher at the Yesh Din human rights organization, noted that investigations into Israeli forces’ actions in Gaza seldom result in prosecutions. He attributed the low rate of convictions to internal political pressures that discourage law enforcement from pursuing charges, even when substantial evidence is available.

Reacting to the announcement, Hind Rajab’s grandmother, who shares her name, rejected the military inquiry as insufficient. She called instead for an international investigation to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding her granddaughter’s death and to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable. "We call for justice, not only for Hind, but for all Gaza children," she said.

The military has not yet provided details on the timeline or scope of the investigations, and it remains unclear whether they will address broader allegations of misconduct during the Gaza conflict. The developments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Israel’s military operations and their impact on Palestinian civilians.