#USA #New York #Gaza conflict #Neal Conan Prize #Mohammed R. Mhawish

Celebrating Mohammed R. Mhawish's Unyielding Journalism in Gaza

On November 22, 2025, in a prestigious ceremony held in New York, journalist Mohammed R. Mhawish was awarded the esteemed Neal Conan Prize for Excellence in Journalism. This accolade not only celebrates his remarkable reporting amidst the ongoing turmoil in Gaza but also shines a light on the harrowing risks that journalists encounter during conflicts. With a monetary reward of $50,000, the prize recognizes Mhawish for his exceptional coverage of civilian life in war-torn Gaza and the unprecedented peril faced by journalists in the region.

Mhawish’s work has been featured in notable publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Nation, and This American Life. His dedication to precision, even under impossible conditions, and the deep humanity depicted in his reporting have not gone unnoticed. In his acceptance speech, Mhawish expressed how journalism in Gaza transcended career ambitions; it became a lifeline, a means to prevent the erasure of his community's history and a way to assert their existence and experiences.

A Shocking Toll on Journalists

The last two years have become increasingly lethal for journalists worldwide, marking the deadliest period on record. Since October 2023, over 249 Palestinian journalists have lost their lives, surpassing the casualties experienced in major global conflicts, including both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslav wars, and the post-9/11 Afghanistan conflict. Mhawish shared during the ceremony that more than 50 of his colleagues have died in various circumstances related to their reporting.

The discussions about journalist safety have gained momentum within the community, with fellow awardees and journalists like Hind Hassan, the 2024 prize winner, emphasizing the dehumanization and targeting of Palestinian journalists.