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TL;DR
- Palestinian AFP photographer Mahmud Hams won the prestigious Visa d’Or News prize for his coverage of the Gaza conflict.
- Hams, who has worked in Gaza since 2003, highlighted the unprecedented challenges and dangers faced by journalists in the region.
- He condemned attacks on journalists and expressed hope that his photos would help end the war and suffering in Gaza.
- The conflict intensified after an October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, with AFP’s Gaza bureau heavily involved in reporting despite their office being damaged by a strike.
Palestinian photographer Mahmud Hams has been awarded the prestigious Visa d’Or News prize for his impactful coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The award, announced by the Visa pour l’Image Association, was presented during a ceremony in Perpignan, France. Hams, who has been documenting life in Gaza for AFP since 2003, expressed his gratitude to the jury in a recorded video message and highlighted the severe challenges faced by journalists covering the conflict.
In his statement, Hams emphasized the unprecedented nature of the current conflict: “I spent my childhood in Gaza, and in 23 years of photojournalism, I have witnessed every war, every conflict there. But this war is unlike any other, without precedent from the very first day.” He condemned the targeting of journalists, noting that attacks have been directed at journalists’ offices, which should be protected under international law. “Many journalists have been killed; others wounded. I’ve also lost friends and loved ones. We struggled to keep our families safe,” he added.
Hams relocated with his family from Gaza to Qatar in February 2024 but continues to work for AFP. He hopes that his photographs will convey the urgent need for peace: “I hope the photos we take show the world that this war, and the suffering, must end.”
Eric Baradat, AFP’s Deputy News Director for Photo, Graphics, Data and Archives, praised Hams and his colleagues for their extraordinary work under dire conditions. “Mahmud and his colleagues… have carried out extraordinary work in every respect,” Baradat stated. “Their testimony will be recorded in history.”
The conflict intensified following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, AFP has relied heavily on its Gaza bureau to report from within the besieged territory. On November 2, AFP’s office building in Gaza was severely damaged by a strike likely caused by Israeli tank fire.
The International Press Institute (IPI) and other organizations have called for increased protection for journalists working in Gaza. Since the onset of the conflict, at least 134 journalists and media workers have been killed. The IPI has urged all parties to respect international laws designed to safeguard journalists during armed conflicts.
Hams’ recognition with the Visa d’Or News prize underscores not only his personal courage and dedication but also highlights the broader risks faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones worldwide. His work continues to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and serves as a powerful reminder of the essential role of journalism in documenting human rights abuses and calling for peace.
