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May 11, 2026 – Palestine/Belgium –
Palestinian journalist Zareefa Abou Qoura has been awarded the 2026 Shireen Abu Akleh Prize in recognition of her reporting from Gaza and her continued documentation of the humanitarian impact of the ongoing war in Palestine. The award ceremony took place in Brussels, Belgium, and was organized by the International Federation of Journalists and the International Francophone Press Union as part of efforts to honour courage and commitment among women journalists working in dangerous conditions.
Abou Qoura was recognized for her extensive reporting on daily life in Gaza during the conflict, including coverage of attacks affecting civilians, food distribution centres, and medical facilities. She has also contributed investigative reporting examining allegations of abuse against Palestinian detainees and the wider humanitarian consequences of the war. Her reporting has appeared in international media outlets including BBC, Al Jazeera Media Network, The Guardian, and ARIJ.
The Shireen Abu Akleh Prize was established in memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, the veteran Palestinian-American journalist who was killed while reporting in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on May 11, 2022. The annual prize was launched by the IFJ and UPF to honour female journalists who continue reporting despite threats, violence, and severe professional risks.
During the ceremony, members of the jury praised Abou Qoura’s reporting under what they described as exceptionally dangerous conditions for journalists in Gaza. Organizers emphasized that Palestinian journalists continue to work while facing displacement, surveillance, and threats to their safety, with media freedom organizations repeatedly warning about the high number of journalists killed during the conflict.
The award also renewed attention to the legacy of Shireen Abu Akleh, whose killing became a global symbol of the dangers faced by journalists covering conflict zones. Press freedom advocates have continued calling for accountability and stronger international protections for journalists operating in areas affected by war and political violence.
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