A portrait of a 9-year-old Palestinian boy, Mahmoud Ajjour, who lost both arms in an Israeli attack in Gaza, has been awarded the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year for 2024. The photograph, taken by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf, documents Ajjour’s poignant experience of loss and resilience. Elouf, who is based in Qatar, captured the image for The New York Times, illustrating the profound impact of the ongoing conflict.
In a moving statement, Abu Elouf recounted the moment when Mahmoud first understood the gravity of his injuries. The boy’s immediate question to his mother was, “How will I be able to hug you?” This emotional narrative highlights not just Mahmoud's personal struggle but also reflects the broader implications of the war that has left deep scars on countless lives.
The announcement of the World Press Photo of the Year was made on Thursday, following an extensive evaluation of 59,320 entries submitted by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries. World Press Photo Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury praised the image, stating, “This is a quiet photo that speaks loudly. It tells the story of one boy, but also of a wider war that will have an impact for generations.” The depth of the photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
According to reports from the World Press Photo organization, Mahmoud Ajjour was severely injured while trying to escape an Israeli attack in March 2024. When he turned around to urge his family to hurry, an explosion resulted in the loss of one arm and severe damage to the other. The citation for the award emphasizes the significance of Mahmoud’s life, stating that it merits understanding and compassion.
Lucy Conticello, the jury chair and Director of Photography for Le Monde’s weekend magazine, remarked that the image provides a “layered entry point into a complex story,” encouraging viewers to engage with the broader narrative surrounding the plight of those affected by the war. This sentiment reflects the mission of photojournalism— to capture the human consequences of conflict and provide a visual dialogue about pressing global issues.
Samar Abu Elouf was evacuated from Gaza in December 2023, and she now resides in Doha, Qatar, in the same apartment complex as Mahmoud Ajjour. This proximity between photographer and subject underlines the ongoing connection many individuals carry with the tragedies of war, despite being physically removed from the situation.
The broader context of the current situation in Gaza is alarming. Following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals in southern Israel, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported over 51,000 Palestinian deaths as a result of the conflict, with a significant portion being women and children, including over 876 infants under the age of one. The numbers underscore the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, where over 116,000 individuals have reported injuries.
Israel, on its part, attributes the heavy civilian toll to Hamas, claiming that the militant group operates from residential areas, thus placing civilians in harm's way. Amidst the backdrop of such losses, the World Press Photo competition highlighted additional finalists who addressed pressing global issues, including migration and climate change. One notable image by photographer John Moore for Getty Images depicted Chinese migrants seeking warmth after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, while another striking photo by Musuk Nolte showcased a young man carrying food across a parched riverbed in Brazil's Amazon basin.
Earlier, the World Press Photo Foundation announced regional winners, recognizing The Associated Press among others. Photographer Jae C. Hong took home a win in the Singles category for his image titled "Korea Adoption Fraud," while Noel Celis captured the Stories category for his photographs documenting the Philippines with "Four Storms, 12 Days." These accolades highlight the immense talent and dedication present in contemporary photojournalism, serving to bring critical issues to the forefront of global consciousness.
