Thu Apr 17 10:58:07 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Boy’s Poignant Portrait Wins World Press Photo of the Year
**Amsterdam, Netherlands** – A powerful image of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Palestinian boy who lost both arms in an Israeli attack on Gaza City last year, has been awarded the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year. The photograph, taken by Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times, depicts Ajjour’s solemn face, a stark testament to the ongoing conflict’s devastating impact on children.
Abu Elouf, also from Gaza and now based in Doha after her own evacuation, captured the heartbreaking moment, highlighting Ajjour’s simple yet poignant first words upon realizing his injuries: “How will I be able to hug you?”
The World Press Photo jury praised the photo’s composition and powerful message, stating it represents not only Ajjour’s personal tragedy but also the wider, generational consequences of the war, which has claimed the lives of at least 51,025 Palestinians and injured over 116,432. The jury also highlighted the photo’s exposure of the dehumanization of the region and the targeting of journalists.
Ajjour, who was evacuated to Doha for treatment, is now learning to adapt, using his feet to perform tasks like opening doors and using his phone. However, he still requires significant assistance with daily activities. His simple dream, according to the World Press Photo organizers, is to receive prosthetic limbs and live a normal life. The UN estimates that Gaza now has the highest per capita rate of child amputees in the world.
The competition, which received nearly 60,000 entries from over 3,700 photographers, also recognized other powerful works, including runner-up images depicting the Amazon drought and Chinese migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. Category winners represented compelling stories from across the globe, showcasing issues like youth uprisings in Kenya, the gang crisis in Haiti, and surfing in the Asia Pacific region. The awards highlight the crucial role of photojournalism in documenting global events and raising awareness of pressing issues.
First Piper 