World Press Photo of the Year Captures Heartbreak in Gaza
In a poignant moment of grief captured through the lens of Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem, the world has been given a stark reminder of the human impact of war. Salem’s powerful image, which earned him the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award, depicts a Palestinian woman in a visceral embrace with tragedy. The photograph shows 36-year-old Inas Abu Maamar cradling the body of her five-year-old niece, Saly, wrapped in a sheet at the Nasser hospital morgue in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The picture was taken on October 17, 2023, during a time of intense sorrow as families were searching for relatives killed during Israeli bombing. Rickey Rogers, Reuters Global Editor for Pictures and Video, shared Salem’s humble reaction to the award at a ceremony in Amsterdam. He emphasized that while the photo is not one to celebrate, its recognition is appreciated for bringing attention to the consequences of conflict.
The Amsterdam-based World Press Photo Foundation underscored the peril journalists face in conflict zones. With 99 journalists and media employees killed since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the foundation’s executive director, Joumana El Zein Khoury, highlighted the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by journalists to convey the humanitarian impact of war.
Salem, who has been with Reuters since 2003 and previously won a World Press Photo award in 2010, expressed that his image encapsulates the chaos and heartache experienced by those in the Gaza Strip. The jury commended his work for being “composed with care and respect,” serving as both a metaphorical and literal representation of loss.
The emotional weight of Salem’s photograph was further accentuated by personal circumstances; his wife had given birth just days before he captured the award-winning shot. Fiona Shields from Guardian News & Media described the image as “profoundly affecting.”
From an extensive pool of 61,062 entries by 3,851 photographers from 130 countries, other notable winners included GEO photographer Lee-Ann Olwage and Alejandro Cegarra for their respective categories. Ukrainian photographer Julia Kochetova received accolades for her open format piece “War is Personal,” blending various mediums to portray the war in Ukraine.
The World Press Photo of the Year not only honors outstanding photography but also serves as a sobering reminder of the stories behind the images—the lives touched by conflict and the enduring strength of those who capture these moments for the world to witness.
