Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem has been awarded the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year for his powerful image capturing the devastation of conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The winning photograph depicts a Palestinian woman, Inas Abu Maamar, cradling the lifeless body of her five-year-old niece, Saly, in the morgue of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. The scene, captured on Oct. 17, 2023, amidst the Israeli bombing of the enclave, portrays the profound grief and anguish experienced by civilians caught in the midst of conflict.

Rickey Rogers, Reuters Global Editor for Pictures and Video, announced Salem's achievement at a ceremony in Amsterdam, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the human impact of war, especially on children. Salem, a seasoned photojournalist who has been with Reuters since 2003, responded to the news with humility, acknowledging the somber nature of the photograph while expressing gratitude for its recognition and the opportunity to raise awareness about the realities of war.

The World Press Photo Foundation, based in Amsterdam, underscored the dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts, particularly during the Israel-Hamas war. The organization noted that 99 journalists and media employees had lost their lives in the line of duty during the conflict, highlighting the risks inherent in documenting humanitarian crises.

Joumana El Zein Khoury, the executive director of the World Press Photo Foundation, emphasized the trauma experienced by journalists in conflict zones and emphasized the importance of shedding light on the humanitarian impact of war through visual storytelling.

Salem's award-winning photograph, described by the jury as "composed with care and respect," provides a poignant glimpse into the unimaginable loss experienced by Palestinian families amidst the violence in Gaza. The image captures the chaos and desperation of civilians seeking information about their loved ones, with Abu Maamar's refusal to let go of her niece's body serving as a poignant symbol of the broader human tragedy unfolding in the region.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Vilnius (AP/PTI): A DHL cargo plane crashed Monday morning near the Lithuanian capital.

The Lithuanian airport authority identified the aircraft as a “DHL cargo plane flying from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport.”

It posted on the social platform X that city services including a fire truck were on site.

DHL Group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, did not immediately return a call for comment.