The World Press Photo of the year award was given to a striking and powerful photo of a young Palestinian boy who lost both arms as a result of an Israeli attack in Gaza. This is not the first time that this organization has recognized the devastating impact of conflict on civilians.

The Power of Photojournalism

Photojournalism has a unique ability to capture the essence of a moment in time, revealing the complexities and difficulties faced by individuals and communities. This photo, taken by Samar Abu Elouf, a Qatar-based Palestinian photographer, for The New York Times, is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.

• The image shows 9-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour with his arms missing just below each shoulder, a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war on civilians.
• The photo was taken after Ajjour was injured while fleeing an Israeli attack in March 2024, and it captures a moment of vulnerability and fear.
• The World Press Photo organization stated that Ajjour was injured while trying to urge his family onward, but an explosion severed one of his arms and mutilated the other.

Background on the Photo

The photo was selected from 59,320 entries submitted by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries. The winner was chosen by a jury of experts who evaluated the entries based on their impact, relevance, and technical excellence.

• The photo was taken by Abu Elouf, who was evacuated from Gaza in December 2023 and now lives in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
• The photo was published in The New York Times, and it has sparked widespread attention and discussion about the impact of conflict on civilians.
• The World Press Photo organization stated that the photo tells the story of one boy, but also of a wider war that will have an impact for generations.

Reaction to the Award

The World Press Photo Executive Director, Joumana El Zein Khoury, praised the photo as a “quiet photo that speaks loudly” that tells the story of one boy, but also of a wider war that will have an impact for generations. “After he turned back to urge his family onward, an explosion severed one of his arms and mutilated the other,” according to the World Press Photo citation. The jury chair, Lucy Conticello, who is Director of Photography for French newspaper Le Monde’s weekend magazine, highlighted the photo’s ability to provide a layered entry point into a complex story and the incentive to prolong one’s encounter with that story. “This young boy’s life deserves to be understood, and this picture does what great photojournalism can do: provide a layered entry point into a complex story, and the incentive to prolong one’s encounter with that story,” said Conticello.

Context of the Conflict

The conflict in Gaza is complex and multifaceted, with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming to be victims of the other’s actions. The Israeli offensive in March 2024 was launched after Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, in which thousands of militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive. It does not differentiate between civilians and militants, but says that over half of the dead were women and children, including at least 876 infants under 1. It says over 116,000 people have been wounded. Israel blames Hamas for the heavy civilian toll because the group carries out attacks and other military activities from residential areas and civilian buildings.

Multimedia Winners

The World Press Photo organization also named two finalists that highlighted the issues of migration and climate change.

• A dark photo by John Moore for Getty Images shows Chinese migrants warming themselves after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
• A picture by Musuk Nolte for Panos Pictures, Bertha Foundation, of a young man carrying food across a dried up river bed in Brazil’s Amazon basin region.

Regional Winners

In regional results announced earlier by the World Press Photo Foundation, The Associated Press was among winners in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region.

• Photographer Jae C. Hong won in the Singles category with an image titled Korea Adoption Fraud.
• Noel Celis won in the Stories category for photos from the Philippines titled Four Storms, 12 Days.

A Haunting Legacy

The winner of the 68th edition of the prestigious photojournalism contest has sparked widespread attention and discussion about the impact of conflict on civilians. The photo serves as a haunting reminder of the devastating effects of war and the importance of providing a platform for individuals and communities to share their stories.