The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has escalated its pursuit of justice by identifying an additional two dozen Israeli soldiers allegedly involved in the death of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The foundation is referring these soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their roles in what it describes as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Among those named are three high-ranking commanders: Colonel Beni Aharon, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Ella, and Major Sean Glass, with Ella and Glass believed to have directly overseen the killings. The HRF plans to progressively disclose the identities of 22 other soldiers as it files national-level complaints in various jurisdictions. The foundation’s efforts follow the release of an hour-long documentary on Al Jazeera Arabic, which highlighted the case. HRF has submitted a 120-page Article 15 filing to the ICC, supported by digital, satellite, and forensic evidence, alleging that Israeli forces knowingly targeted Hind and her family, as well as the ambulance sent to rescue her. The HRF’s legal team asserts that these actions violate Articles 6, 7, and 8 of the Rome Statute. The foundation has also initiated a criminal case in Argentina against Itay Cukierkopf, a tank crew member named in its ICC complaint. HRF’s strategy includes leveraging social media posts by Israeli soldiers boasting of their operations in Gaza as evidence in its global legal campaign. By early 2025, the foundation had amassed over 8,000 pieces of evidence related to alleged war crimes. HRF President Dyab Abou Jahjah emphasized the foundation’s commitment to holding war criminals accountable, stating, ‘We are going after war criminals wherever they go.’ Hind Rajab’s death on January 29, 2024, has become emblematic of the broader violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israeli forces. An investigation revealed that Hind and her family were struck by 335 bullets as they attempted to flee northern Gaza. Hind’s final phone call, in which she pleaded for help, has since been released, capturing global attention. A feature film about her ordeal is expected to compete for an Oscar next year. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives.
