The World Press Photo of the Year for 2025 features a haunting portrait of Mahmoud Ajjour, a 9-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza who lost both of his arms in an Israeli strike. Ajjour was fleeing with his family when he was hit by an explosion, resulting in the severing of one arm and the eventual amputation of the other. The emotional impact of this loss was revealed when Mahmoud asked his mother how he would be able to hug her without his arms.
Ajjour was evacuated to Qatar for treatment, where his portrait was taken by photographer Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times. He is one of many children in Gaza who have lost limbs during the ongoing conflict, which has caused widespread devastation in the region. Despite the ceasefire efforts, Israeli forces continue to launch airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza.
Mahmoud is adapting to life without his arms, learning to use his feet for daily activities and hoping to receive prosthetic limbs in the future. The plight of children like Mahmoud, who have faced unimaginable trauma and loss, highlights the urgent need for international assistance and a lasting solution to the conflict in Gaza.
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