AMSTERDAM, Holland: A poignant image depicting the profound anguish of a Palestinian woman mourning her young niece, tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year Award.
The photograph, captured by Reuters news agency’s Mohammed Salem, showcases Inas Abu Maamar cradling the lifeless body of five-year-old Saly, who lost her life alongside her mother and sister when their home in Khan Younis was struck by a missile in October.
Salem was present at Khan Younis’ Nasser hospital on October 17, where he encountered Maamar, 36, overcome with grief as she clutched her relative’s wrapped body in the morgue. This haunting moment encapsulates the broader tragedy unfolding in the Gaza Strip amid escalating conflict.
“It was a powerful and profoundly moving moment,” expressed Salem, reflecting on the impact of his photograph. “The image represents the stark reality of what was unfolding in Gaza.”
Fiona Shields, jury chairwoman for the World Press Photo, echoed this sentiment, describing the image as deeply affecting and emblematic of the horror and senselessness of conflict. “Once you’ve seen it, it leaves an indelible mark on your consciousness,” she remarked.
This year’s World Press Photo Awards also recognized Venezuelan photographer Alejandro Cegarra for his compelling long-term project documenting migrants and asylum-seekers navigating Mexico’s southern border, highlighting their resilience and agency amid adversity.
In the Open Format category, Ukrainian photographer Julia Kochetova was honored for her impactful website showcasing the daily realities of living through war, blending photojournalism with a personal diary-style narrative.
The 2024 award-winning photographs, selected from over 61,000 submissions by photographers worldwide, are currently on display at Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk until July 14, providing a poignant and thought-provoking visual narrative of global realities.
