Controversy Erupts Over Award-Winning Photo of Hamas Terrorists with Israeli Victim

The University of Missouri's journalism research center faced backlash for awarding its photo-of-the-year prize to an image showing Hamas terrorists transporting the body of a slain Israeli woman. The photo, taken by a freelance photojournalist, was part of The Associated Press' submission, which won in the "Team Picture Story of the Year" category. Critics condemned the decision, with some accusing the AP of aiding and abetting terrorists and others calling for the photographer to be prosecuted for war crimes. The AP and Reuters denied any collusion with the attacks, stating they had no advance knowledge of the incident.