‘How will I hug you?’: Haunting picture of Palestinian boy maimed in Gaza struggle wins World Press Photograph award – The Instances of India

A heartbreaking picture of a nine-year-old Palestinian boy who misplaced each arms in an Israeli airstrike has received the 2025 World Press Photograph of the Yr.
The picture, taken by Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Instances, reveals Mahmoud Ajjour, who now lives in Doha after being severely injured in Gaza Metropolis final yr. One arm was blown off within the blast, and the opposite was so badly broken it needed to be amputated.
Elouf, who can also be from Gaza, mentioned Mahmoud’s first phrases to his mom after realising his arms have been gone have been, “How will I be capable to hug you?”

“This can be a quiet picture that speaks loudly. It tells the story of 1 boy, but additionally of a wider struggle that can have an effect for generations,” mentioned Joumana El Zein Khoury, World Press Photograph govt director.
The jury known as the portrait “sturdy composition and a spotlight to gentle,” saying it represents not only one boy’s ache, however the long-term affect of struggle. They praised its lighting, composition, and emotional depth.
Mahmoud is now studying to put in writing, play video games, and open doorways utilizing his toes. “His dream is easy,” the organisers mentioned. “He needs to get prosthetics and dwell his life as another youngster.”
Two different pictures have been named runners-up: one displaying drought within the Amazon by Musuk Nolte, and one other capturing Chinese language migrants after a border crossing by John Moore.
The jury picked 42 profitable photos from over 59,000 entries submitted by photojournalists around the globe.