Hind Rajab – “We Are Not Numbers”
On the evening of January 29, 2024, fear and panic filled the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza. Hind Rajab, a little girl around five years old, was in a civilian car with several members of her family, trying to escape the escalating shelling. What they thought would be a safe refuge quickly turned into a tragic trap. (en.wikipedia.org)
Fleeing, and Gathering in the Car
The family moved cautiously, attempting to distance themselves from the line of fire. Inside the car were Hind, her uncle, his wife, their children, and her cousin Layan (approximately 15 years old). Sources indicate the family was attempting to head north in Gaza after refusing directions to move south. (washingtonpost.com)
The First Call – “The tank is beside us… they are shooting at us”
At a critical moment, Layan called the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) emergency center, trembling as she said, “They are shooting at us… the tank is beside me.” (en.wikipedia.org) Minutes later, gunfire intensified, and communication with Layan was lost—she was killed within moments. (hindrajabfoundation.org)
The Open Call with Hind – Hours of Fear and Waiting
What followed was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the conflict:
After losing contact with Layan, the PRCS call center continued to communicate with Hind, who was still inside the car surrounded by the bodies of her loved ones, wounded on her back, hands, and legs. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to multiple investigations, the call lasted between 1 to 3 hours, during which Hind pleaded, “I’m so scared… please… please come get me.” (en.wikipedia.org)
A report by The Washington Post notes the call lasted about three and a half hours, with Hind watching Israeli tanks approach her car. (washingtonpost.com)
A PRCS responder recalled trying to calm her, feeling every passing minute as though it were an eternity, powerless to reach her. (thenationalnews.com)
An ambulance was authorized to enter the area, but it was targeted or blocked before reaching them, amplifying the terror that Hind, and also the rescuers, were experiencing. (hindrajabfoundation.org)
Hind remained on the line as if the phone itself was her last lifeline.
Discovery of the Bodies and Paramedics
After about 12 days of being trapped under fire, the car containing Hind and her family was found riddled with bullets, alongside the bodies of the paramedics who had tried to reach her. The ambulance was discovered burned nearby. (ohchr.org)
Who Is Responsible?
Independent investigations confirmed that an Israeli tank was positioned 13–23 meters from the car and fired over 300 rounds. (hindrajabfoundation.org) While the IDF claimed no direct involvement, other investigations suggested otherwise. (washingtonpost.com)
Legal Accountability
On July 19, 2024, UN human rights offices stated that the killing of Hind, her family, and the paramedics “may amount to a war crime.” (ohchr.org)
Human rights organizations filed criminal complaints in international courts, demanding investigations and accountability for the military personnel responsible. (hindrajabfoundation.org)
Why We Remember Hind
Amid the daily numbers and statistics in Gaza, Hind’s story reminds us that a child hiding in a car seat is not a number. She was a little girl whose voice pleaded with truth and innocence: “I’m so scared… please come.” Through the “We Are Not Numbers” section, we give Hind a name and a place, not just a statistic. Her voice and suffering are a call to recognize the humanity behind every number.
Sources
1. Wikipedia – Killing of Hind Rajab: en.wikipedia.org
2. The National – Haunting one-hour call with Gazan girl Hind Rajab recounted by first responder: thenationalnews.com
3. OHCHR – Gaza: Killing of Hind Rajab and her family – a war crime too many: ohchr.org
4. Hind Rajab Foundation – Hind Rajab’s Story: hindrajabfoundation.org
5. The Washington Post – In January 2024, 6-year-old Hind Rajab spent three hours on the phone…: washingtonpost.com
6. Facebook / media coverage – summary of three-hour call: facebook.com
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