Palestinian photographer Mahmud Hams wins Visa d’Or News award
Palestinian photographer Mahmud Hams has earned the prestigious Visa d’Or News award for his coverage of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.
Hams, 44, has been with AFP in the Gaza Strip since 2003. He spoke out against the targeting of journalists during the conflict.
“I grew up in Gaza and, in 23 years of photojournalism, I’ve seen every war and conflict here. But this war is different,” Hams said in a statement.
“Many journalists have been killed or wounded. I’ve also lost friends and loved ones. We fought to keep our families safe. I hope our photos show the world that this war, and the suffering, must stop,” he added.
Eric Baradat, AFP's deputy news director, commended Hams' work, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by Hams and his colleagues.
"Their efforts are extraordinary and often unimaginable. Their work will be remembered in history," Baradat said.
Gaza-based Hams had received top honors in the photo category at the 25th Bayeux-Calvados War Correspondents Prize for his image of a wheelchair-bound demonstrator during the “Great March of Return” protests in 2018.
A 44-year-old resident of the Gaza Strip, Hams has covered numerous incidents, from Palestinian resistances to brutal assaults by the Israeli army.
