Lisbon, Portugal – An investigative report by the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, titled "What the Wounds Tell," has been honored with the prestigious Distinguished Reporting Award at the European Press Prize 2026. The report, authored by journalists Maud Effting and Willem Feenstra, meticulously documents 114 cases of children under the age of 15 in Gaza who were struck by a single bullet to the head or chest, with almost all cases resulting in death or severe disability.
The investigation focused exclusively on children under 15 to ensure their immediate identification as minors. "A single bullet in these parts of the body is a clear indication that these children were deliberately targeted," the journalists stated in their report. The findings suggest a pattern of aimed fire, possibly by snipers or drones, as indicated by forensic experts consulted by the newspaper.
Effting and Feenstra conducted their rigorous investigation by drawing on accounts and documentation from international medical professionals who worked inside Gaza's hospitals and clinics, given the near impossibility of independent access to the region. Over several months, they interviewed seventeen doctors and one nurse, who provided hundreds of photographs, videos, X-rays, medical notes, and personal diary entries. Fifteen of these doctors confirmed treating children aged 15 and younger with such specific gunshot wounds.
The European Press Prize jury lauded the project as "very impressive work combining data gathering together with deeply human portraits of the doctors," highlighting the significance of framing them as the "last international eyewitnesses." The judges praised the report's rigor, especially "in the context where access is almost impossible," underscoring the vital role of reporting in pursuing evidence when direct access is obstructed. This award recognizes journalism that provides crucial insights into the realities of conflict, ensuring such events are not ignored.
