Amputated child in Gaza photo of the year for World Press Photo

A shot by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for the New York Times depicting Mahmoud Ajjour, a child severely wounded while fleeing an Israeli attack in Gaza, is the Photo of the Year of World Press Photo. Mahmoud Ajjour was seriously injured in March 2024 while fleeing an Israeli attack in Gaza City. He had turned to cheer his family on when an explosion amputated one of his arms and devastated the other.

Foto resa disponibile dalla World Press Photo Foundation mostra l’immagine vincitrice del World Press Photo of the Year 2025 di Samar Abu Elouf per il New York Times che ritrae Mahmoud Ajjour (9), ferito durante un attacco israeliano a Gaza City nel marzo 2024, mentre trova rifugio e assistenza medica in Qatar. Doha, Qatar, 28 giugno 2024 (ripubblicata il 17 aprile 2025).

"The jury was moved by this portrait of a Palestinian boy talking about the devastating long-term costs of war on civilians," the organisation explained on its X account.

In a statement, the organisation said that, 'as his family was fleeing an Israeli attack, Mahmoud went back to incite the others to go on. An explosion severed one of his arms and mutilated the other'.

"The family was evacuated to Qatar where, after medical treatment, Mahmoud is learning to use his feet to play with the phone, write and open doors. In addition to this, he needs special assistance with most daily activities, such as eating and dressing. Mahmoud's dream is simple: he wants to get prostheses and live his life like any other child,' World Press Photo added.