US Seeks Clarification from Israel on 6-Year-Old Palestinian Girl's Death in Gaza Amid Discrepancies in Reports
The US State Department has requested more information from Israel about the January death of 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in Gaza.
The girl had begged for help in a phone call to rescuers during an incident where Israeli military forces were present, but earlier explanations from Israel have been questioned after a Washington Post report cast doubt on their accuracy.
The report mentioned that Hind's body was found in a car along with the bodies of five family members, and that an ambulance used by rescuers attempting to save her had been destroyed by Israeli military fire.
The State Department is calling for a full investigation into the matter.
Twelve days after Shireen Abu Akleh's death, her body was found in a car near an ambulance along with those of her aunt, uncle, and their three children, as well as two dead ambulance workers.
Contrary to initial Israeli Defense Forces claims, an investigation by The Washington Post revealed Israeli armored vehicles were present in the area at the time of the shooting.
The US State Department expressed condolences for the tragedy and called for further information from Israel, vowing to seek a full investigation into the incident.
The US is reviewing incidents of civilian harm during Israel's six-month-old war in Gaza to ensure US-provided weapons are not used in violation of international humanitarian law.
When asked about a specific case involving a Palestinian woman killed in Gaza, a US official stated that the US had asked Israel for its investigation findings instead of conducting its own review.
The official added that new details from the Washington Post would be taken back to Israel for further investigation.
Israel's embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.