The 32nd Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award for War Correspondents has highlighted the exceptional work of photojournalists covering conflict zones around the world, with Gaza emerging as the dominant theme among this year's winning photographs. The prestigious competition, which recognizes the crucial work of journalists in dangerous territories, reminds us that every photograph carries the weight of a story, pain, and responsibility.
Saher Alghorra from Zuma Press claimed the top honor in the Nikon Prize photography category with his powerful series titled "Trapped in Gaza: Between Fire and Famine." The winning photograph, selected by an international jury led by Jon Lee Anderson, captures a mother grieving over her son at the morgue of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on June 24, 2024. The image shows the mother mourning Ziad Mahmoud Ziad Saydam, who was killed during an Israeli raid in the Nuseirat camp in July 2024, after his family had been displaced and forced to flee their home.
Alghorra's work goes beyond shock photography to weave a compelling narrative. The contrast between the intimate grief of a mother and the vastness of the conflict gives this image its extraordinary power. The photographer's documentation of civilian suffering in Gaza has been widely recognized this year, as he also received the ICRC Humanitarian Visa d'Or in 2025 for his commitment to documenting the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
The competition's second place was awarded to Ali Jadallah from Anadolu Agency for his photographs of Israeli attacks in Gaza, while third place went to Jehad Alshrafi from Associated Press for "An Ongoing War in Gaza." This sweeping recognition of Gaza-focused work demonstrates the international photography community's acknowledgment of the critical importance of documenting this ongoing conflict.
In the Public Prize category, inaugurated last year and sponsored by Isigny Sainte-Mère and the Nutriset group, Ali Jadallah also emerged victorious. The public, who both view the exhibitions and participate in voting, selected Jadallah's work documenting Israeli attacks in Gaza. His winning photograph shows Palestinians on a road amid smoke and flames following bombardments in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on June 6, 2024. This public choice aligned remarkably with the professional jury's verdict, as Jadallah also secured second place in the Nikon Prize.
The 2025 awards showcase the unique ability of conflict photography to make the invisible visible – revealing broken lives, improvised displacements, and the haunting silence that follows explosions. These images serve as crucial historical documents, bearing witness to human suffering and resilience in one of the world's most contested territories.
The Prix Bayeux exhibitions featuring all winning photographs will remain on display until November 9. Visitors can explore the complete program and additional information on the official Prix Bayeux website, offering the public an opportunity to engage with these powerful visual testimonies of contemporary conflict journalism.
