Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra, a contributor to The New York Times, has been awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for his “haunting, sensitive series” capturing the realities of starvation and devastation in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli attacks.
Capturing Life Under Siege
Alghorra’s photographs offer an unflinching yet deeply human look at life under siege. Among the images are scenes of released Palestinian prisoners returning home, the aftermath of bombings, mass graves, and children weakened by hunger.
His lens also documents quieter, equally powerful moments: families queuing for food, parents rushing wounded children to medical care, and communities observing Ramadan within the ruins of bombed buildings. One particularly striking image of an emaciated child became emblematic of the hunger crisis, even as other stories within his work remained less widely recognized.
From Freelancing to Global Platforms
Beginning his career as a freelance photojournalist in 2021, Alghorra has collaborated with major international outlets, with his work appearing in publications such as The Guardian, Time, The Telegraph, and The New York Times. In July 2023, he took on the role of Chief Photojournalist in Gaza for ZUMA Press, further cementing his presence on the frontlines of visual storytelling.
His recognition has been building steadily. In 2023, one of his photographs was selected among Time magazine’s 100 best photos of the year, and in 2024, he received the top honor at the Communications Arts Photography Annual for his coverage of the war in Gaza.
The Power of Independent Journalism
Announcing this year’s awards, Marjorie Miller, Pulitzer administrator, emphasized the importance of independent journalism in times of crisis. “This has always been a day of celebration for our communities,” she said, “but perhaps never more so than today.”
With this recognition, Alghorra’s work stands not only as a record of unfolding events but as a powerful reminder of photography’s role in bearing witness, ensuring that even in the most devastating circumstances, stories are seen, felt, and remembered.
We Said This: Don’t Miss… UAE Organizes Mass Wedding for 300 Palestinian Couples in Gaza
