Two years into the war in Gaza, and as Israel and Hamas reached a deal raising hopes for the end of the conflict, Associated Press photographer Fatima Shbair looked back at some of her most poignant images. Shbair has seen conflict and violence in the territory since she was a young girl, and when Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack triggered Israel’s campaign of retaliation, she spent several days reporting from her hometown of Gaza City. As Israeli forces advanced, she moved with her family to Rafah, in southern Gaza. For months, she covered the war from Rafah and Khan Younis, often based at hospitals. In April 2024, Shbair and her family were able to leave Gaza, where Israel’s offensive aimed at destroying Hamas has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and driven most of the population from their homes. Since then, Shbair has been based in Dubai for the AP.
These are her photos and the stories behind them.
