Palestinian freelance photographer Mahmoud Abu Hamda has secured the top prize in the photography category at the prestigious Bayeux Awards for war correspondents for his impactful work documenting life in Gaza.
Hamda, who is based in the Gaza Strip, was also awarded the Public's Choice award for his reportage titled "What War Leaves Behind." While unable to attend the ceremony in Bayeux, northwest France, he conveyed his gratitude through a video message, stating, "My greatest honour is that these photos have been able to leave the borders of Gaza." He submitted his unpublished reportage directly to the jury, providing a stark illustration of the hardships endured by Gaza's inhabitants following Israel's offensive after the Hamas attack on October 7.
The Washington Post received the top award in the print category for its coverage of a Ukrainian soldier's 177-day ordeal trapped in a combat zone. In the radio category, Palestinian journalist Anas Baba of NPR was recognized for his report on the recovery of victims' bodies in Gaza. CNN's reporting on Israeli soldiers serving settlers in the West Bank earned them both the television prize and the video image award.
Associated Press photographer Jehad Alshrafi was honored with the Young Reporter photography prize for his series "Endless War and Devastation in Gaza." One of Alshrafi's photographs, depicting footballers playing on a field amidst the rubble of Gaza, had previously generated controversy in France in August, leading to its temporary removal from a sports photography festival before a court mandated its reinstatement.
The jury for the Bayeux Awards was presided over by veteran BBC war correspondent Lyse Doucet.
