Six-year-old Hind Rajab, who went missing after her family's car was shot at by Israeli tanks in besieged Gaza, has been found dead, Palestinian health ministry officials confirmed.
In a devastating ending Palestine Red Crescent team members Yusuf Zeino and Ahmed Al-Madhoun were killed in their ambulance on their approved mission to rescue 6-year-old Hind.
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) February 10, 2024
PRCS mourns their loss and we demand justice for their senseless killing. Once again instead of the… pic.twitter.com/aKsEQydCer
Hind was presumed alive after a desperate call for help from her cousin. "Hind and everyone else in the car is martyred," her grandfather lamented. The grim discovery was made by family members near a petrol station where the car had last been spotted. The Israeli military did not comment on the incident.
Hind's death adds to the mounting toll in Gaza, where Israel's military offensive has killed at least 28,000 people and left over 67,600 wounded, according to the Ministry of Health.
In this tragedy, Israel plans to escalate its attacks on Rafah, despite warnings from the US and UN. Displaced Palestinians, already reeling from the devastation, face further peril as Israeli forces target the last refuge for many.
And hi again from #Rafah, where civilians were forced to go, in search of safety (it bears repeating). #Rafah, where 1.4m people are amassed in deteriorating conditions, many displaced multiple times.#Rafah, where the population has already endured intolerable pain,… pic.twitter.com/5Da58dWW2P
— Philippa Greer (@philippa_bear) February 10, 2024
The US cautioned against a large-scale offensive into Rafah, citing the catastrophic consequences for civilians. Talks for a truce mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt have yielded no tangible results. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations warn of a worsening crisis, with millions at risk of starvation and over 600,000 children displaced.
???? Urgent: The occupation targets the main gate of Al-Alamal Hospital, causing structural damage to the building and forcing one of the PRCS vehicles out of service. This vehicle was the sole available option after the occupation rendered all other vehicles unusable.#NotAtarget…
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) February 11, 2024
The situation in Gaza has drawn international condemnation, with the International Court of Justice issuing provisional measures to prevent genocidal acts and allow more humanitarian aid. As the conflict escalates, the world watches with apprehension, fearing the humanitarian nightmare will worsen, with untold regional consequences.