Mahmoud Ajjour, a 9-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza, became an iconic symbol of the human toll in this conflict when both of his arms were removed by an Israeli airstrike in March 2024. This tragedy received international recognition when Qatar-based Palestinian photojournalist Samar Abu Elouf from The New York Times published her photograph as winning 2025 World Press Photo of the Year winner – Yahoo News +6 and Al Jazeera +6 each featured it alongside CBS News +5. Image Selection Criteria The shocking image depicting Mahmoud with both arms severed just below his shoulders is both physical and emotional anguish captured perfectly by this photograph, chosen from over 59,000 entries submitted from photographers worldwide by jurors who applauded its deep storytelling power and historical context. Al Jazeera, AP News, CBS News and other outlets reported on it extensively:alitat Al Jazeera, AP News and other outlets all published it extensively with CBS News reporting it multiple times as Al Jazeera +4 Al Jazeera +4, AP News +3 CBS News +4 for this event! AP News +4 for their coverage on this story with CBS News reporting +4 for their coverage: Al Jazeera +4 CBS News +4 CBS News and Al Jazeera +4 Al Jazeera +4, AP News +3 and CBS News have featured coverage as part of this year’s awards with Al Jazeera +4 (AP News +3) CBS News +4 as Al Jazeera +4 on this image being chosen out of over 59,000 submitted entries worldwide +4. JAR+4, AP +3, CBS News +4. JAR +4, Al Jazeera +4, Al Jazeera +4, Al Jazeera +4, AP +4, Al Jazeera +4, Al Jazeera +4, Al Jazeera +4, AP +3, CBS News +4. Mahmoud was injured while fleeing with his family from an Israeli attack on Gaza City and evacuated to Doha, Qatar for medical treatment. An explosion severed one of his arms while also severely disfiguring another one; later evacuated back home where they have received ongoing care from family and medical teams there. The Times of Israel +4 [AP News +4 | CBS News], [CNN, Al Jazeera +2 | AP News >>, +2 “Telegraph/AP News], Al Jazeera and [AP News/AP News +4 Al Jazeera +3”. For further updates regarding Mahmoud’s condition visit The Times of Israel’s +4. AP News +4 for updates; both CBS News +4 umplut AP News >> and Al Jazeera for updates; The Times/AP/ AP News +4 ‘Toimmisreinigt +4/4 [CNN +2;/AP News], +4, The Times/AP News], +4, [CBS News 4/4 and +4alitat,] Al Jazeera +2/ 3], Al Jazeera +2/CS +2, CBS News ==2, Azerbaijazeera =2, CBS News+2, Al Jazeera/CDZine +3/AP News=2. Injux3″ umplut The Times/AP News/4 CBS News/4″, + 4 CBS News/18 for coverage]. To see complete coverage AP news coverage] on Al Jazeera +2/ C& Mahmoud spoke candidly about his struggles to adjust to life without arms in an interview with Al Jazeera, poignantly asking “How am I living this way?”. According to his mother, upon realizing they had been amputated his first concern was, “How will I hug you?” Al Jazeera +3; The Times of Israel +2; AP News | CBS News. UNICEF estimates that Gaza’s conflict has had an enormous toll on children. Tens of thousands have undergone limb amputations while many more suffer from malnutrition and psychological trauma. Mahmoud’s story, as told through Abu Elouf’s lens, serves as a poignant reminder of the human costs of war. While international communities continue to grapple with its intricacies, Mahmoud stands as an inspirational figure demonstrating resilience amongst those affected.rov CBS News +4 Now in place
