355 Bullets: The Forensic Investigation into the Killing of Hind Rajab

The Chronify

January 31, 2026

A detailed forensic analysis has confirmed that 6-year-old Hind Rajab and six of her family members were killed when an Israeli tank fired 355 bullets into their vehicle at close range. The investigation further reveals that an ambulance sent to rescue the trapped child was also targeted and destroyed by a tank shell, killing two paramedics.

The tragic death of Hind Rajab in January 2024 has become a global symbol of the civilian toll in Gaza. Hind and her family were attempting to evacuate the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City following Israeli military orders when their black Kia Picanto came under heavy fire. Audio recordings released by the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) captured the terrifying final moments of Hind's 15-year-old cousin, Layan Hamadeh, who screamed as gunfire raked the car while she was pleading for help on the phone.

A comprehensive investigation by Forensic Architecture, in partnership with Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines and the NGO Earshot, reached the following conclusions:

The Attack: The family vehicle was struck by 355 bullets, with most entry holes located on the right side, indicating the direction of the shooter.

Proximity: Satellite imagery and kinetic analysis place an Israeli Merkava tank as close as 13 to 23 meters from the car, meaning the passengers-including children-were clearly visible to the shooters.

The Rescue Mission: Despite formal coordination with Israeli forces for safe passage, the PRCS ambulance dispatched to save Hind was struck by a 120mm tank shell just 50 meters from the car, killing paramedics Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun.

Hind remained alive for several hours after the initial attack, trapped among the bodies of her dead relatives and pleading with dispatchers for rescue. Her body was discovered 12 days later after Israeli forces withdrew from the area. In 2025, the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), identifying specific commanders and units of the 401st Armored Brigade they allege are responsible for what UN experts have called a potential war crime.