– Father of woman killed by Hamas defends award-winning image of her
– Image shows Shani Louk dead in back of Hamas pickup truck
– Backlash on social media and from Jewish commentators for awarding the photo, but father of the victim supports it
The father of a woman killed by Hamas has defended an award-winning image of her. The photo, taken by Associated Press freelancer Ali Mahmud, shows Shani Louk’s lifeless body in the back of a Hamas pickup truck. Louk, a German tattoo artist, was attending a party near Kibbutz Urim when Hamas targeted the area in a terrorist attack. The image has sparked backlash on social media and among some Jewish commentators who feel it dehumanizes Louk.
Despite the controversy, Louk’s father, Nissim Louk, supports the photo winning the award. He believes the image is important for shaping human memory and informing future generations about the events that occurred. Nissim considers the photo of his daughter and other images involving Hamas militants to be symbolic of the current era. He believes it is crucial to use such images to capture the essence of history.
Hamas’ attacks on October 7 resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, with approximately 240 others being kidnapped and taken hostage in Gaza. In response, Israel launched airstrikes and a ground invasion of the territory. The conflict has led to the deaths of more than 32,000 Palestinians, as reported by Al Jazeera. Nissim Louk remains determined to ensure that the memory of his daughter and the events surrounding her death are not forgotten.