Israel-Hamas war: 5-year-old girl found dead in Gaza, weeks after phone call for help

The body of a five-year-old girl has been found in Gaza, nearly two weeks after her cousin called the Palestinian Red Crescent for help, saying that she and five of her family members, who were fleeing the war-torn area, were hit by Israelis in their car. There was a tank attack.

The Hamada family, who were among those who evacuated their homes, along with more than 80 percent of Gaza’s population, On 29 January, an Israeli tank was encountered near a gas station in Gaza City.

15 year old Layan called while hiding in the car and said that the tank was near his car.

Everyone in the vehicle was dead except him and his six-year-old cousin, Hind.

“They are shooting at us,” she told the Palestinian Red Crescent. “The tank is next to me.”

Amidst the hail of bullets she screamed and the line became silent.

This led to a rescue effort by the Palestinian Red Crescent, which immediately dispatched two doctors. But the doctors lost contact just hours after they reached the site.

They too were found dead on Saturday, while their ambulance was blackened and destroyed.

The Palestinian Red Crescent has accused Israeli forces of targeting the ambulance because it stopped near the family’s vehicle.

Also on Saturday, Hind’s body, along with all her family members who were inside the car, were also found.

In a post on X, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, “In a devastating ending, Palestine Red Crescent team members Youssef Zeno and Ahmed al-Madhoun died in the ambulance while on their agreed mission to save 6-year-old Hind.”

“The PRCS mourns his loss and we demand justice for his senseless murder. Once again instead of the Red Crescent logo protecting our teams, it will be used to bury him. This tragedy is a tragedy for our staff and “This does not stop volunteers from helping those victims. Our resolve to continue serving our community remains unwavering.”

In its latest update, the health ministry in Gaza said the death toll in the war-torn territory since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023 had risen to 27,947, while 67,459 others were injured.

Palestinian Red Crescent spokesman Raed al-Nims said Israel had killed 20 of its staff and wounded about 30 others.

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