Fri Apr 18 18:30:17 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Child’s Photo Wins World Press Photo of the Year, Highlights Humanitarian Crisis

**Doha, Qatar** – A harrowing image of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, severely wounded in an Israeli drone strike on Gaza, has been awarded the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year. The photograph captures the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Palestinian children.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Doha, where he is receiving treatment, Ajjour recounted the attack on his Gaza City home in March 2024. He lost both arms in the explosion and described undergoing surgery without anesthesia due to a critical shortage of medical supplies caused by Israel’s blockade. He vividly detailed the pain and trauma of the experience, highlighting the widespread suffering within Gaza.

Ajjour’s story underscores the immense humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that over 1,000 children have lost limbs since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its offensive, resulting in Gaza having the highest per capita rate of child amputees globally. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the situation.

Despite his injuries, Ajjour is learning to adapt, using his feet to perform daily tasks. He expresses a deep longing for his former life and a fervent hope for an end to the violence, emphasizing the desire for Palestinians to live peacefully on their land.

The award-winning photograph serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the conflict, with the Gaza Ministry of Health reporting over 51,000 Palestinians killed and more than 116,000 wounded. The ongoing assault has displaced the majority of Gaza’s population and severely damaged infrastructure and the healthcare system. Ajjour’s powerful story, captured in a single image, brings the human cost of this conflict into sharp focus.

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