Bodies of Gaza Girl and Ambulance Team Trapped Under Israeli Fire Discovered After 12 Days, Reports Reuters

Relatives discovered the body of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl, along with five family members and two ambulance workers, under tragic circumstances after she pleaded for help from Gaza rescuers while trapped by Israeli military fire.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the ambulance dispatched to rescue Hind Rajab, who had spent hours on the phone begging for assistance amid the sounds of gunfire. They stated that coordination was made with Israeli officials to ensure the ambulance could reach the location safely.

Family members found Hind’s body alongside those of her uncle, aunt, and three cousins in a car near a roundabout in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. Reports indicated the ambulance, severely burned, was found close to the damaged vehicle, which was marked by bullet holes.

Hind’s tragic situation was highlighted in distressing audio clips from 12 days earlier, where she conversed with dispatchers under terrifying conditions, showing the dire reality civilians face amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The conflict escalated after an attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. As the Israeli military carried out extensive operations in Gaza, reports from health authorities indicated over 28,000 deaths in the region.

Despite claims from the Israeli military regarding efforts to minimize civilian casualties, they faced heavy criticism over the rising death toll during the conflict. Audio evidence revealed the urgency of Hind’s situation, including a call from her cousin warning of an approaching Israeli tank before the line went silent.

Hind remained on the phone with dispatchers for three hours, who attempted to calm her as an ambulance was prepared. In a poignant cry for help, she pleaded, “I’m so scared, please come.”

Following discussions with Israeli military personnel, PRCS believed it was safe to send the ambulance crew. However, communication was lost shortly after the ambulance was deployed, raising concerns for the safety of both the rescue team and Hind.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed their devastation over the incident, emphasizing that civilians must be protected and that no child should face such fear amid conflict.