Since the war began four months ago, fighting between Israel and Hamas has ravaged Gaza City. Unfortunately, as a result of these occurrences, several people have died. This is the terrible story of 6-year-old Hind Rajab.
On January 29th, just three weeks ago, 6-year-old Hind Rajab boarded a car with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Gaza City as they prepared to leave Gaza’s south. But, as they were in the car, an Israeli tank approached and opened fire. Rajab’s 15-year-old cousin Layan phoned the Red Crescent for help, but they were never able to obtain it.
Furthermore, the bodies of Rajab, her aunt, uncle, and three cousins were discovered in the same car they attempted to leave Gaza in. After two weeks of desperation on the part of the family members, the outcome of the situation was finally revealed.
Moreover, as previously stated, prior to the murder of the family, an attempt was made to contact paramedics and transport them to the families location. However, this never occurred, and there is a reason for the unpleasant scenario. Initially, Yusuf Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun, two Palestine Red Crescent emergency workers, attempted to rescue 6-year-old Rajab, after gaining authorization from Israeli soldiers. However, dispatchers lost contact with the medics on the way.
Now after two weeks the bodies of the two Palestine Red Crescent paramedics who had also been despatched to save Rajab were discovered in their ambulance, just yards away from the scene. Everyone had been killed by Israeli bullets. Nebal Farsakh, spokeswoman for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, said in a statement,
She was killed alone and scared, and our rescue teams were only meters away from her.
Terrifying Audio Recordings
After her family’s car was shot in Gaza, six-year-old Rajab said, “I’m so scared, please come,” among other last words she recorded for rescuers. In addition, the following remarks represent other exchanges that occurred when Layan contacted the Red Crescent for assistance:
LAYAN HAMADEH: [translated] Hello?
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Hello, dear?
LAYAN HAMADEH: [translated] They are shooting at us.
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Hello?
LAYAN HAMADEH: [translated] They are shooting at us. The tank is next to me.
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Are you hiding?
LAYAN HAMADEH: [translated] Yes, in the car. We’re next to the tank.
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Are you inside the car?
LAYAN HAMADEH: [translated] [screaming]
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Hello? Hello?
This was Layan’s final discussion and remarks before she was killed along with her family. After Layan died, the only person who remained alive in those minutes was Rajab, who, despite his injuries, ran to the phone and called the Red Crescent Dispatcher for help. This is her final discussion and closing words:
HIND RAJAB: [translated] Come take me. You will come and take me?
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] Do you want me to come and take you?
HIND RAJAB: [translated] I’m so scared. Please come. Please call someone to come and take me.
RED CRESCENT DISPATCHER: [translated] OK, dear, I will come and take you.
After does heartbreaking conversation were over everyone lost their life and no one was ever able to be save. Now nearly two weeks later Israeli forces finally withdrew from the region, and Rajab’s remaining family returned to the neighborhood on Saturday. They discovered Rajab dead inside the car, among the bodies of five of her family members. The car was also badly riddled with bullet holes.
A Mother’s Final Words
The heart of Wissam. Hamadah is devastated by the loss of her child Rajab, who was only a child with a bright future ahead of her. Hamadah has expressed her outrage and frustration with those involved in her daughter’s death. As she explained, she had told everyone from the beginning to save her kid. Hamadah stated:
God is the only one sufficient for us. Everyone failed us. I will tell God on the day of judgment about my daughter. I swear I will never forgive you or any human involved or any human rights organization.
Written By Nohemi Sanchez
Sources
CNN World: Harrowing audio reveals the moment a family was killed in Gaza
The Guardian: ‘I’m so scared, please come’: Hind Rajab, six, found dead in Gaza 12 days after cry for help
Democracy Now: “They WereSo Close”: Israel Kills Medics Trying to Save Dying 6-year-old Hind Rajab
Featured Image Courtesy of duncan cumming Flicker Page – Creative Common License
Inset Image Courtesy of Catholic Church England and Wales Flickr Page – Creative Common License
