Dutch Investigative Report on Gaza Child Shooting Cases Wins European Journalism Award
An in-depth investigative report by Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant examining alleged shootings of children in Gaza has received the European Press Prize 2026, one of Europe’s most respected journalism awards.
The report, titled “What the Wounds Tell,” was produced by journalists Maud Effting and Willem Feenstra. It documents 114 cases in which children under the age of 15 were reportedly struck by single bullets to the head or chest, with many either killed or left with life-altering injuries.
According to the European Press Prize committee, the investigation represents outstanding journalism conducted under extremely difficult conditions, noting that independent access to Gaza has been heavily restricted since the escalation of conflict.
The journalists focused their study on clearly identifiable minors, many of them very young, to ensure precise documentation of each case. Their findings were based on extensive interviews and medical records compiled from international healthcare professionals who worked in Gaza’s hospitals and clinics.
A network of 17 doctors and one nurse from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands contributed testimony. These professionals had experience working in multiple conflict zones, including Sudan, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Fifteen of the medical experts reported treating at least 114 children aged 15 or younger who had sustained single gunshot wounds to the head or chest between late 2023 and mid-2025 across ten medical facilities.
One US trauma surgeon described encountering multiple young patients with identical head injuries within a short time period at a Gaza hospital, raising concerns about the circumstances in which the injuries occurred. Over subsequent days, he and other doctors continued to observe similar cases.
Medical professionals interviewed for the investigation stated that the consistency and location of the wounds were unlikely to be accidental. Forensic experts consulted by the journalists suggested that the pattern of injuries could indicate targeted fire, potentially involving precision weapons such as sniper rifles or drones.
The report has drawn international attention for its detailed documentation of conflict-related child casualties and the challenges of conducting independent journalism in active war zones.
The European Press Prize recognized the work as a significant contribution to investigative reporting, highlighting both its evidentiary depth and its humanitarian focus amid ongoing global debate about the conflict in Gaza.
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