Samar Abu Elouf is a Palestinian freelance photojournalist who recently evacuated Gaza City.
An award-winning journalist, Abu Elouf covers events where she lives, including stories about gender, women’s and children’s lives, and the consequences of war. Since 2010, she has worked as a freelance photojournalist on assignment for Reuters, The New York Times, and other news outlets.
Abu Elouf documented the 2018–2019 Gaza border protests, also known as the Great March of Return. She also worked with ZUMA Press to cover stories related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and news agencies. In May 2021, on assignment for The New York Times, she covered the 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas that destroyed essential infrastructure and killed more than 230 people, including several of her own relatives.
Most recently, Samar covered the 2023 Israeli bombardment of Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7th attacks for The New York Times. Her images, both intimate and shocking, convey both the anguish and dignity of her subjects.
IWMF Awards
- Anja Niedringhaus Courage In Photojournalism Award Awardee, 2024