Dutch Investigation on Gaza Children Wins European Press Prize 2026
AMSTERDAM — A landmark investigation into the alleged deliberate targeting of children in Gaza has been awarded the European Press Prize 2026, one of Europe’s most prestigious journalism honours.The report, titled “What the Wounds Tell,” was published by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant and authored by journalists Maud Effting and Willem Feenstra. It examined 114 cases…
AMSTERDAM — A landmark investigation into the alleged deliberate targeting of children in Gaza has been awarded the European Press Prize 2026, one of Europe’s most prestigious journalism honours.
The report, titled “What the Wounds Tell,” was published by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant and authored by journalists Maud Effting and Willem Feenstra. It examined 114 cases of Palestinian children under the age of 15 who sustained gunshot wounds to the head or chest between October 2023 and mid-2025.
The reporters interviewed 17 doctors and one nurse from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, all of whom had served across six hospitals and four medical centres in Gaza. Many had prior experience in conflict zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
American trauma surgeon Feroze Sidwa recounted treating four children with head wounds within a single 48-hour period, followed by nine more similar cases over the next 13 days. Forensic experts consulted by the newspaper suggested the pattern of injuries was consistent with sniper or drone fire.
The European Press Prize jury called it “extraordinary journalism under extraordinary circumstances,” noting the investigation was conducted despite severely restricted access to Gaza.
Israel has not publicly commented on the findings. The report presents the observations as medical and forensic opinions rather than established conclusions.
