The Middle East team delivered editorially sharp, competitive, well-sourced, visually rich, and all-format reporting as the ceasefire deal was announced, through to the return of three hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. The exceptional coverage reflects the team’s dedication, collaborative spirit, and passion for covering these dramatic times in the region.
On the first day of the ceasefire, the Middle East team sent out 16 alerts in 6 hours. All video, photos, and newsgathering efforts were fed to the homepage, including stories on Gaza’s reaction, updates and profiles on the hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and crisp analysis. Broadcast customers aired AP’s live updates with attribution, switching among multiple live shots from Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. Photo teams worked around the clock, producing images for global homepages and front pages.
After 15 months of covering a brutal conflict in challenging conditions, the team in Gaza provided live coverage from Khan Younis, showing celebrations, Hamas militants in the streets, live footage of the hospital, and scenes of families mourning those killed overnight in Gaza before the ceasefire took effect. AP was live from Rafah, showing the devastation and trucks with aid entering Gaza, as well as tents for displaced people in Deir al Balah. Drone images of Khan Younis, the first in months, highlighted the scale of devastation, and a written report complemented the visuals.
The Lebanon team contributed by monitoring Gaza and reporting on reactions as the airstrikes stopped and preparations began for the release of the first hostages. Wafaa Shurafa coordinated staff and freelancers on the ground, delivered edits and photos from Abdul Kareem, and overcame challenges with internet, electricity, and ensuring team safety. Shurafa also provided real-time updates from the Strip.
In Israel, AP provided live shots of explosions and smoke rising from Gaza during delays in the ceasefire and broadcast from Hostage Square, capturing reactions of relatives waiting for the release of hostages. Teams spent hours awaiting updates from the hospital on the hostages’ health.
In the volatile West Bank, AP teams stationed at Ofer Prison reported on the release of Palestinian prisoners, capturing buses leaving the prison and heading toward waiting families.
Video journalist Imad Isseid and senior producer Jalal Bwaitel faced significant challenges, including confrontations with local authorities and Israeli border police. Senior producer Isaac Scharf secured access to local materials and coordinated field and desk teams.
On the Gaza-Egypt border, video journalist Ahmed Hatem, photographer Amr Nabil, and reporter Fatma Khaled endured a 24-hour journey to document the hundreds of aid trucks waiting to enter Gaza.
The judges praised the team’s sustained efforts over months of war coverage and the personal toll on its members.
For its rich, insightful coverage of the ceasefire, the Middle East Team earns this week’s Best of AP — First Winner.
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