A powerful portrait of a young Palestinian boy who lost both of his arms in an Israeli attack in Gaza was named World Press Photo of the Year on Thursday. The image, captured by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf, was featured in The New York Times. It shows 9-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, whose arms were amputated just below the shoulders.
Abu Elouf shared a poignant moment from Mahmoud’s mother, who recalled how the boy first reacted to the realization of his injuries, saying, “How will I be able to hug you?” after learning his arms were gone.
The image was chosen from a pool of 59,320 entries submitted by nearly 3,800 photographers across 141 countries for the 68th annual World Press Photo contest. Jury members praised the photo for its quiet yet powerful message, with World Press Photo Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury describing it as a story that speaks not only of one child but also of the broader impact of war on future generations.
The organization explained that Mahmoud was injured while fleeing an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in March 2024. After urging his family to continue running, an explosion tore off one arm and severely damaged the other. This tragedy was part of the broader context of the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ attacks on Israel in October 2023.
Abu Elouf, who was evacuated from Gaza in December 2023, now lives in Doha, Qatar, in the same apartment complex as Mahmoud, who is currently recovering. The image has become a symbol of the devastating consequences of the conflict, capturing both the personal impact of war and its larger, generational repercussions.
In addition to Mahmoud’s story, two other finalist images were recognized for their focus on migration and climate change. One by John Moore for Getty Images shows Chinese migrants warming themselves after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, while another by Musuk Nolte portrays a young man carrying food across a dried-up riverbed in Brazil’s Amazon region.
Regional awards were also announced, with a photographer from The Associated Press winning in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania categories. Jae C. Hong’s image titled “Korea Adoption Fraud” won in the Singles category, while Noel Celis was recognized for his series of photos in the Stories category, focusing on the Philippines.