Dutch investigation on Gaza child shootings wins European Press Prize

A major investigation by Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant has received the European Press Prize 2026 after documenting cases of Palestinian children in Gaza who were shot in the head or chest.

A major investigation by Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant has received the European Press Prize 2026 after documenting cases of Palestinian children in Gaza who were shot in the head or chest during the ongoing conflict.

The report, titled What the Wounds Tell, was produced by journalists Maud Effting and Willem Feenstra. Their investigation focused on 114 Palestinian children under the age of 15 who suffered a single gunshot wound to either the head or chest. According to the findings, almost all of the children either lost their lives or were left with life-changing injuries.

The European Press Prize, one of the most respected journalism awards in Europe, praised the work for its depth and accuracy despite the severe difficulties reporters face in accessing Gaza. In its statement, the organization said the journalists managed to build a detailed investigation by gathering evidence and testimony from international medical workers who had served in hospitals and clinics across the territory.

The reporters chose to concentrate on children younger than 15 because their age could be clearly established. Many of the victims were very young, including children aged three, four and seven. The investigation argued that the location of the wounds raised serious questions about whether the shootings were intentional.

To compile the report, De Volkskrant interviewed 17 doctors and one nurse from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. These medical professionals had worked in six hospitals and four clinics in Gaza since October 2023. Many of them had previously served in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Ukraine.

Fifteen of the medical workers told the newspaper that they had treated at least 114 children who arrived with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest. The cases were recorded between late 2023 and mid-2025 across ten different medical facilities.

Among those interviewed was American trauma surgeon Dr. Feroze Sidhwa. He recalled arriving at Gaza’s European Hospital in March 2024 and encountering four boys under the age of ten with nearly identical head injuries within two days. The experience left a strong impression on him. Over the following thirteen days, he said he treated nine more children with similar wounds.

Doctors who participated in the investigation stated that the injuries they observed did not appear consistent with random battlefield incidents. Forensic specialists consulted by the newspaper also examined the available evidence. According to the report, the pattern of injuries suggested carefully aimed fire and may have involved snipers or drone systems.

The investigation has attracted international attention and renewed debate over the human cost of the war in Gaza. By relying on medical records, eyewitness accounts and expert analysis, the report offered one of the most detailed examinations to date of child shooting cases documented during the conflict.

The European Press Prize recognized the investigation for its commitment to accountability and for bringing attention to evidence gathered under extremely challenging conditions.