Story of Hind

Hind Rajab Hamada, a 5-year-old girl from northern Gaza.

On January 29, 2024, she was at her uncle's house when Israeli tanks invaded the area where they lived. Her uncles fled by car with their children and Hind.

Tank fire hit the car, killing Hind's two uncles and three cousins.

Her 15-year-old cousin, Layan, called the Palestinian Red Crescent for help. Screams and machine gun fire were heard, and the call was cut off.

Red Crescent first responders called again, and Hind picked up. She was crying and very scared; her cousin had been shot dead. The first responders spoke to Hind for three hours, trying to comfort and help her. Night fell, and cold and hunger added to fear.

Meanwhile, the Red Crescent, through the Gaza Ministry of Health, attempted to coordinate safe passage with the Israeli army to rescue Hind. Several hours later, authorization was obtained, and an ambulance with two rescuers, Yussef and Ahmed, left along the authorized route. However, the Israeli army had already learned that there was a surviving child inside the car.

Nothing more was heard from Hind or the rescuers until 12 days later, when the Israeli army left the area. The ambulance was found completely destroyed by bombs, with the remains of the rescuers' bones, and Hind's uncles' car, nearby, with 335 bullet holes in it.