- The jury praised the “powerful images” from Gaza taken by Mahmoud Hams, Omar Al-Qatta, Said Khatib and Bashar Taleb
NEW YORK: Four Palestinian photographers from Agence France-Presse (AFP) have been named finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious journalism award in the United States, for their coverage of the Gaza Strip in the Breaking News Photography category.
The jury of the prize, presented on Monday by Columbia University in New York, praised the “powerful images” from Gaza taken by Mahmoud Khams, Omar al-Qatta, Said Khatib and Bashar Taleb.
They said the work of AFP photographers captured “the enduring humanity of Gaza's people amidst the widespread destruction and loss.”
The Pulitzer Prize nomination caps an exceptional year for Hams, who also won the News Prize 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.
AFP has been covering the war in Gaza continuously since 2023, when Hamas launched an offensive against Israel on October 7, with teams working on both sides of the border to ensure reliable and impartial reporting.
Local AFP journalists work in dangerous conditions in the Gaza Strip to document the impact of the war on civilians.
Since the start of the war, virtually no journalist has been able to enter the Gaza Strip, which borders Israel and Egypt.
“This recognition is a tribute not only to the talent and courage of these photographers, but also to AFP's unwavering commitment to documenting events with accuracy and integrity wherever they happen,” said Phil Chetwynd, AFP's worldwide news director.
“We are deeply grateful to Mahmoud, Omar, Said and Bashar, whose work gives a voice to those caught in the middle of the conflict,” he added.
