The structure behind Hind Rajab's killing | Bird's Eye View

Key Concepts

• Hindraab Killing: The central event, the death of a 5-year-old girl and her family in Gaza City on January 29th, 2024.
• Al Jazeera Investigation: A documentary titled "Tip of the Iceberg" that uncovered evidence and identified suspects.
• Forensic Architecture: A research group that identified the specific type of tanks involved.
• Chain of Command: The hierarchical structure of military leadership implicated in the events.
• Vampire Empire Company: A specific military unit suspected of carrying out the killings and tampering with the scene.
• International Criminal Court (ICC): The venue for criminal complaints filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation.
• War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide: The legal classifications of the alleged acts.
• Dual National Soldiers: Israeli soldiers with citizenship in other countries, leading to international legal actions.

Hindraab Killing and Initial Denials

On January 29th, 2024, 5-year-old Hindraab was killed in Gaza City along with six family members and two paramedics. Israel initially denied that its troops were present at the scene of the incident.

Al Jazeera's "Tip of the Iceberg" Investigation

A subsequent Al Jazeera documentary, "Tip of the Iceberg," produced in collaboration with the Hind Rajab Foundation, has presented evidence that contradicts Israel's initial denial. The investigation has:

• Uncovered Identities: Identified individuals suspected of involvement in the killings.
• Established Chain of Command: Mapped out the military hierarchy responsible.

Identified Military Personnel and Units

The documentary and related investigations have pinpointed specific individuals and units:

• Colonel Benny Aharan (41st Armored Brigade): Identified as being at the top of the chain of command. The tanks present in the area on the day of the incident were under his leadership.
• Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Ella (52nd Armored Battalion): A unit within this battalion is suspected of carrying out the killings and tampering with the scene.
• Major Shaun Glass (Vampire Empire Company): This company, led by Major Glass, is suspected of the killings. Information obtained by Al Jazeera indicates that Glass ordered the shelling of the family's car and the attack on the ambulance sent to rescue Hind.
• Itai Kukov (Israeli-Argentinian Soldier): Identified as being present at the scene when Hind and her relatives were killed.

Forensic Architecture's Tank Identification

The research group Forensic Architecture played a crucial role by identifying the vehicles at the scene of Hind's killing as Israeli Merkava tanks.

Vampire Empire Company's Operations

Al Jazeera's Arabic documentary also revealed that the Vampire Empire Company was among the first units to enter Gaza in October 2023. Since then, this unit has been involved in some of the deadliest operations during Israel's war on Gaza, including attacks on various hospitals, such as Al Shifa, which was once the largest medical complex in the strip.

Legal Actions and Criminal Complaints

The Hind Rajab Foundation has taken significant legal steps to hold those responsible accountable:

• International Criminal Court (ICC): Criminal complaints have been filed against Colonel Benny Aharan, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Ella, and Major Shaun Glass.
• Argentinian Prosecution Case: A prosecution case has been filed against Itai Kukov in Argentina. Kukov is the only soldier publicly identified by the foundation, although other members of the Vampire Empire Company have been submitted confidentially to the ICC.

International Scrutiny of Dual National Soldiers

The involvement of dual national Israeli soldiers in Gaza is increasingly leading to international legal actions:

• United Kingdom: The Metropolitan Police are assessing a criminal complaint against 10 dual nationals accused of war crimes in Gaza.
• France: Complaints have been filed against two French-Israeli soldiers.

Hind Rajab Foundation's Objectives and Findings

The Hind Rajab Foundation's overarching goal is to hold Israeli soldiers accountable for war crimes committed in Gaza. Their investigation has identified a total of 24 suspects in the killings of Hind, her relatives, and the paramedics. The foundation has concluded that the actions of these individuals constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Conclusion: Humanizing War and Accountability

The case of Hind Rajab transcends mere statistics. By attaching individual faces to her killing, the investigation serves as a stark reminder that war is conducted by individuals who can and should be held accountable for their alleged crimes. The documentary and subsequent legal actions aim to ensure that such accountability is pursued.