Justice for Hind Rajab Act

Summary

Directs the State Department and Attorney General to rapidly investigate and report on a January 29, 2024 Gaza City attack that killed a 5-year-old, family members, and two paramedics, and to refer credible findings that involve U.S.-origin weapons, U.S. citizens, or U.S.-trained personnel for possible criminal investigation under the U.S. War Crimes Act. Requires a detailed interagency report identifying units, weapons, investigations, and whether U.S. assistance or personnel were involved; urges compensation to victims’ families; and establishes a U.S. policy to collect and preserve evidence of alleged war crimes from the Israel–Hamas war and to pursue accountability, including prosecutions of U.S. citizens if warranted.

• Mandates State Department certification within 30 days about whether the January 29, 2024 Gaza attack may be a war crime involving U.S. weapons, citizens, or training.
• Requires referral to the Attorney General within 15 days of that certification if credible information meets the criteria.
• Directs the Department of Justice to review referrals and, where appropriate and within U.S. jurisdiction, investigate and prosecute under the War Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 2441).
• Orders a detailed interagency report to Congress within 45 days identifying units involved, use of U.S. weapons/training, Israeli accountability actions, and related inquiries.
• Declares U.S. policy to collect and preserve evidence of alleged war crimes from the Israel–Hamas war and to pursue accountability, including for U.S. citizens.
• Expresses congressional view that Israel should compensate victims’ families and that the U.S. should provide compensation if U.S. citizens in the IDF were involved.
• References the Leahy human rights prohibition (Foreign Assistance Act) and other international humanitarian law protections as bases for inquiry and action.
• Defines key terms by reference to existing statute and notes an incomplete committee list in the definitions as provided.