“This is a documentary photography project that was undertaken during the war on Gaza, focusing on capturing the stories held within the hands of those living through the conflict. Each hand the photographer documented carried a unique story of its owner, narrating their experiences, struggles, and dreams. Through this project, I aimed to shed light on personal stories amidst unimaginable circumstances, showcasing how human resilience triumphs over adversity.
Over the course of more than 185 days covering the war, I focused on the intricate details of these hands. I documented the hand that searched desperately for survivors beneath the rubble, the hand that embodied hope and the will to live, and the hand that provided safety and reassurance in moments of despair. I captured the hand that offered joy despite overwhelming pain, as well as those that will never return to life.
I also sought to portray the hand that clung to warmth in the bitter cold of winter, the hand that fought for dignity and survival, and the hand that was targeted for daring to reveal the truth and expose injustice. The philosophy of this project is rooted in the idea that the hand is a storyteller, narrating tales of resilience and survival amidst destruction and despair. The innocent hands of the displaced, wounded, and killed by the relentless Israeli war machine stand as silent witnesses to the depths of human suffering.
Through these images, I aimed to present hands not only as symbols of victimhood but also as tools of healing and agents of change. Each touch tells a unique story, and every craft reflects the indomitable human spirit. In this way, the hand emerges as a powerful and multi-dimensional symbol—of pain, loss, hope, and an unwavering determination to live.” - Belal Khaled.
Citizens attempt to lift a concrete pillar with their bare hands to rescue a mother and her daughter trapped under the rubble of their home in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, Palestine on 9 October 2023.
The hand of a civil defense worker holds the hand of a girl in an attempt to pull her out from under the rubble of the Al-Ma’mar family’s home in the center of Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestine on 7 December 2023.
A hand extends out of the shroud in the morgue refrigerator at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestine on 29 November 2023.
“After today, I will not be able to comb my hair with my hand." A wounded girl who lost one hand, with the other injured as well due to the Israeli bombing of their home in northern Gaza, Palestine, on 17 November 2023.
Wael Al-Dahdoh, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, after his hand was injured while covering events in the center of Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestine, and the killing of his colleague, photographer Samer Abu Daqa. 15 December 2023.
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Belal Khaled is a Palestinian photographer and artist from Gaza. He began photographing when he found himself amidst the reality of conflict and has been covering Israel’s attacks on Gaza since 2010. For his masterclass project, Hands Tell Stories, he photographed the hands of diverse people during the war on the Gaza Strip. Khaled's project aims to highlight the personal stories of individuals amidst the challenging circumstances they endure, showcasing how human willpower overcomes challenges and hardships.
For the 28th edition of the Joop Swart Masterclass, we brought together 12 emerging photographers from around the world to develop a project, and develop the tools to make a viable career in photography.
Launched in 1994, the Joop Swart Masterclass is World Press Photo’s best-known educational program for emerging photographers, encouraging new and diverse approaches to photojournalism, documentary photography and visual storytelling. After a three-year hiatus, the Joop Swart Masterclass returns this year, with a focus on the MENA region, thanks to funding from the Porticus Foundation.
See more work by 2024 Joop Swart Masterclass participants here
