Photo of Hamas parading woman's naked body wins Picture of the Year award; Internet reacts with fury

A photo depicting Hamas operatives parading the body of a German tourist through Gaza's streets following an October 7, 2023 attack has been awarded Photo of the Year. The tourist, identified as 23-year-old Shani Louk, was later found deceased a few weeks after the attack.

The disturbing image, part of a series, contributed to the Associated Press winning top honours in a category at the Pictures of the Year International awards. This decision has sparked widespread debate on social media.

Many users criticised the use of Louk's image, seeing it as a disrespectful portrayal of Jewish life. The awards, hosted by the Donald W Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, faced significant backlash for their selection.


Comments on various platforms included sentiments like, "This is just wrong and sick," and "Today marks a dark day for journalism and the world as a whole."

Despite the criticism, the photograph was initially shared on the award organisers' Instagram page. However, it was later removed due to public outcry over its content.

Louk's ordeal began when she was taken hostage during the Supernova music festival near the Gaza border, which was targeted in a surprise Hamas attack.

Her tragic story gained significant traction on social media after images of her body being paraded on a pickup truck circulated online.

According to a rabbi who spoke with her family, Louk had suffered torture before her death. She held German and Israeli citizenship and had spent part of her childhood in Portland, Oregon, where she attended the Jewish Portland Academy.