Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize

Four Palestinian photographers from Agence France-Presse (AFP) were finalists for their Gaza coverage in the "Breaking News Photography" category of the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious awards in US journalism.

The jury for the award, presented on Monday by Columbia University in New York, praised the "powerful images" from Gaza by Mahmud Hams, Omar Al-Qattaa, Said Khatib and Bashar Taleb.

The AFP photographers' work encapsulated "the enduring humanity of the people of Gaza amid widespread destruction and loss," they said.

The Pulitzer nomination crowns an exceptional year for Hams, who also won the News award at the Visa pour l'Image festival in Perpignan and the Bayeux Calvados Prize for war correspondents -- two of the most prestigious international awards in photojournalism.

Hundreds of Gaza journalists are working in perilous conditions to document the consequences of Israel's war on civilians, themselves being displaced and targted.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 212 journalists and media workers, wounded 409 others—some suffering amputations—and arrested 48 known journalists. It is the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded.

Since the start of the war, virtually no journalist has been able to cross into Gaza, which borders Israel and Egypt.

"This recognition is a tribute not only to the talent and bravery of these photographers, but also to AFP's steadfast commitment to documenting events with accuracy and integrity, wherever they unfold," Phil Chetwynd, AFP's global news director, said in a statement.

"We are deeply grateful to Mahmud, Omar, Said, and Bashar, whose work gives voice to those caught in the heart of the conflict," he added.