Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf’s New York Times photo of Mahmoud Ajjour, a child seriously injured while fleeing an Israeli attack in Gaza, is World Press Photo’s Photo of the Year.

Mahmoud Ajjour was seriously injured in March 2024 while fleeing an Israeli attack in Gaza City. He turned to urge his family to continue when an explosion amputated one of his arms and devastated the other.

The family was evacuated to Qatar where, after surgery, Mahmoud is learning to play with his phone, write and open doors using his feet.

“One of the hardest things Mahmoud’s mother explained to me was that when Mahmoud first realized his arms were amputated, the first thing he said to her was, ‘How will I hug you?’” said Elouf, who was also evacuated in December 2023. “This is a silent photo that speaks loudly . It tells the story of a boy, but also of a larger war that will have an impact for generations, ” said World Press Photo Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury.

(Online Union)

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