A photographer covers a story that felt very close to home in the Gaza Strip

Associated Press

2 days ago

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Jehad Alshrafi is a 23-year-old freelance photojournalist working with The Associated Press since May 2024 in the Gaza Strip. He documents the humanitarian crisis and the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on Gaza.
Here's what he had to say about this extraordinary photo as translated from Arabic by AP staff member Khalil Hamra.Why this photo?
I firmly believe that photojournalism has a unique power to convey human stories and inspire meaningful change. Through my work with the AP, I try to capture moments that go beyond chronicling destruction and displacement, moments that show how people continue to endure in the most difficult conditions.
In this photo, a scene unfolds with shouting, tears and desperation as people push forward in hopes of securing a single meal for their families.
How I made this photo
When I took this photo, my eyes were behind the camera, but my heart was with the people. I captured around 15 frames before arriving at this one. Despite being hungry myself at the time, I could still go to a market later to buy something to eat. But how can these displaced families, who have lost everything and now live in tents, feed themselves? How do they survive? How does a mother feel when she returns to her children without food? What can she possibly do in that moment?
Why this photo works
I consider this photo one of the most honest and raw pieces of work I've ever done. It conveys the suffering and pain without needing a single word. It's a picture that captures the tragedy of an entire people.
Being a photojournalist in Gaza means I live the same reality I document — no safety, constant danger and the risk of death at any moment. Even when I'm not out in the field, there is no space for rest or recovery. Life here is exhausting, marked by hunger, fear, loss and deprivation on every level.
For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.