Award winners
Wesam M.H. Yasin, Correspondent
Saif R. J. Alswaitti, Correspondent
Amir S.A. Altorok, Videographer/Editor
Gaza Team, 2024 winner
On October 7, 2023, the world watched in horror as Hamas militants stormed into Israel, murdering and kidnapping Israeli citizens. Alhurra Television immediately shifted to a non-stop, breaking news format, and staff throughout the network worked day and night to cover the developing events.
But it is MBN’s Gaza team that was really put to the test. Wesam Yasin, Saif Alswaitti, and Amir Altorok were in Gaza when the borders closed, and together they met the demanding physical and emotional requirements to cover this story.
They covered everything from military operations and Israeli airstrikes in Northern Gaza to the confusion, anger, and fear of the Gazan people following the Hamas attacks. They told stories of impassioned first responders and exposed human traffickers and profiteers, taking advantage of civilians desperate for food, medicine, or escape.
They showed what life is like in Gaza, highlighting the ways people were working to survive. And their compelling footage and reports were shared throughout USAGM’s networks, providing this exclusive look from inside Gaza to audience around the world.
The sacrifices this Gaza team have made are rare, even for war correspondents. Not only did they have to consider their own safety, but they also had to think of their families. As Gazans were told to move south, these brave journalists would pack up and move their families, while continuing to cover the latest developments.
Every story they covered mirrored their own lived experiences, from the makeshift tent Wesam erected for her family’s safety to the desperate quest for provisions, including vital medicine for her child. For Wesam, Saif, and Amir, reporting on the Gaza crisis isn’t just a job—it is a deeply personal journey of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to truth amidst adversity.