News photography in Gaza has taken center stage in the 2026 Pulitzer Prizes in journalism announced early Tuesday morning.
The breaking news photography prize was awarded to photographer Saher Alghorra for a series of photos for The New York Times documenting destruction and hunger in the Gaza Strip during the war with Israel. The judges described the work as “haunting and sensitive,” illustrating the scale of harm to the civilian population.
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Photo from Gaza by Pulitzer-Prize-wining Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra
(Photo: Saher Alghorra)
In the breaking news category, the Minnesota Star Tribune staff won for its coverage of a shooting at a Catholic school in which two children were killed and 17 others were wounded. The board highlighted the reporting’s combination of speed, accuracy and human sensitivity.
In the investigative reporting category, The New York Times won for a series of articles on U.S. President Donald Trump that exposed the use of political power for financial gain and benefits for family members and associates.
Reuters stood out with two wins: one in beat reporting, for revelations about Meta’s conduct, including exposing users - among them children - to scams and AI-driven manipulation; and another in national reporting, for an investigation into the expansion of presidential powers in the United States and their use against political rivals.
The Associated Press won the international reporting prize for a broad investigation into advanced surveillance technologies — from their development in Silicon Valley, to their use in China, to applications in the United States, specifically their use by U.S. Border Patrol.
In the public service category, considered the most prestigious award, The Washington Post won for extensive coverage of changes in the U.S. government initiated by the Trump administration, including “the chaotic overhaul of federal agencies,” and their impact on citizens.
A special citation was also awarded to Miami Herald journalist Julie K. Brown for her ongoing work exposing the Jeffrey Epstein case, which began in 2017, including documenting harm to young women and denouncing the system that enabled it.
First published: 13:30, 05.05.26