The winning photo represents Mahmoud Ajjour, nine years old, whose arms were cut in an Israeli attack in Gaza last year.
The solemn portrait of a nine -year -old Palestinian child, whose arms were cut and mutilated, an Israeli attack in the city of Gaza, has won the 2025 world press photo award.
The image, given the award in Thorsday, was tasks of Samar Abu Elouff for the New York Times newspaper, and represents Mahmoud Ajjour.
“One of Mahmoud’s most difficult things explained to me was how when Mahmoud realized that his arms were amputated, the first prayer that said:” How can I hug you “?” Abu eluff said.
Ajjour was evacuated to Doha, Qatar, after the Israeli explosion in March last year, an attack in the continuous war that has killed at least 51,025 Palestinians, wounded another 116,432 and reduced and reduced.
The photographer is also from Gaza and was evacuated in December 2023. He now takes photos of severely injured Palestinians based in Doha.
“This is a quiet photo that speaks out loud. It tells the story of a child, but also a broader war that will have an impact for generations,” said Joumana El Zein Khourry, executive director of World Photots Photos.
The jury praised the photos “Strong composition and attention to light” and its stimulating theme, especially questions about Mahmoud’s future.
He also praised how the photo represents “the dehumanization of a region, and about the relentless orientation of journalists in Gaza along with the continuous denial of access to international reporters looking for the realities of this war.”
The child is now learning to play games on his phone, writing and opening the feet of the doors, but still needs special assistance for most daily activities, such as eating and dressing, the jury said.
“Mahmoud’s dream is simple: hey to obtain prostheses and live his life like any other child,” said World Press photo organizers in a statement.
The statement cited the recent estimate of the United Nations (UNSRA) works agency that for December last year, Gaza had more amputated per capita than anywhere else in the world.
“Children look disproportionately affected by war,” said the jury.
Runner -up
The jury also selected two photos for the runner -up award.
The first, entitled “Droughts in the Amazon” by Musuk Nolte for Panos Pictures and The Bertha Foundation, shows a man in a river bed on the Amazon with supplies to a town that once accessible by boat.
The second, “Night Crossing” by John Moore shooting for Getty Images, represents curly Chinese migrants near a fire that rains cold after crossing the border between the United States and Mexico.
The jury reviewed 59,320 photographs of 3,778 photographic journalists to select 42 winning shots around the world.
Luis Tato, based in Nairobi, won in the “Stories” category for the Africa region for a selection of photos that represent the youthful uprising of Kenya.
Jerome Brouillet won in the “Singles” category Asia Pacific and Oceania for its iconic image or surfer Gabriel Medina apparently floating on the waves.
Clarns Soffroy won in the category “Stories” of North America and Center for its coverage of the gang crisis in Haiti.
Finally, Anselmo Cunha won in the “Singles” category for South America for his photo of a Boeing 727-200 stranded at the Salgado Filho International Airport in Brazil.
