The poignant image of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Palestinian boy who suffered severe injuries during a conflict in Gaza, has garnered the prestigious 2025 World Press Photo of the Year award. Captured by Samar Abu Elouf, a photographer affiliated with The New York Times, the photograph reflects the profound human impact of ongoing violence in the region.
The photograph, awarded on Thursday, illustrates a moment of vulnerability and resilience. Mahmoud lost both arms in an attack and poignantly asked his mother, “How will I be able to hug you?” This heart-wrenching statement encapsulates the emotional toll of war on children, a demographic particularly affected by the ongoing conflict.
Following the devastating explosion in March of last year, Mahmoud was evacuated to Doha, Qatar, where he continues to receive care and rehabilitation support necessary for his recovery. The conflict has had a catastrophic toll, with recent estimates indicating over 51,000 Palestinian casualties and approximately 116,000 injuries, leaving substantial portions of Gaza in ruins.
As a fellow Gazan, Abu Elouf has dedicated her work to shedding light on the harrowing experiences of the people in her homeland. Now documenting the stories of the injured from Doha, she aims to amplify the human experience amidst the conflict.
Joumana El Zein Khoury, the executive director of World Press Photo, remarked on the photograph’s ability to convey a deeply personal story while also representing the broader implications of the ongoing war. The jury praised the image for its striking composition and the light that reveals Mahmoud’s current reality—a young boy learning to navigate life with new limitations while still holding on to dreams, such as obtaining prosthetic limbs.
The World Press Photo competition received approximately 59,320 entries from 3,778 photojournalists, highlighting a global commitment to documenting critical issues. The jury also recognized other impactful photographs, such as “Droughts in the Amazon” by Musuk Nolte and “Night Crossing” by John Moore, both illustrating significant social issues around the world.
Overall, this year’s award emphasizes the vital role of visual storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding in our increasingly interconnected world. As children like Mahmoud Ajjour continue their journeys toward recovery, their stories serve as powerful reminders of both the human cost of conflict and the resilience found in the face of adversity.
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