Flying Tank Photo: Moshe Shai
An Apache helicopter training exercise from Squadron 113 in the Negev, September 2025. Despite seeing much of this over two years, seeing this tank overhead at point-blank range remains a powerful and thrilling experience every single time.
All of Them Photo: Gideon Markowitz
An installation and protest by hostage families at Hostages Square in August 2025. Surrounded by barbed wire fences, the sight reminded me of scenes from other periods of the Jewish people when we had no ability to defend ourselves and had no strong government and army to save them from hell. The time has come, and better one hour sooner, to bring all our hostages home.
City of Refuge Photo: Yehoshua Yosef
Unfortunately, this year too, Israeli citizens were forced to find refuge in shelters. This photo is a painful and relevant reminder of the reality of life here, where routine moments can turn into emergency situations in an instant. But even in moments of darkness, the human light continues to burn. This photo was taken in a public shelter near Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, capturing a moment of uncertainty and human solidarity. On June 20, 2025, at noon, 30 Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel, triggering alarms across most of Israel’s territory. The protected space became a forced meeting place. The image shows a human mosaic, young and old alike, huddling together with their pets and seeking mutual comfort. This is an honest and heartwarming documentation of vulnerability and alertness, but also of community and faith.
Hole in the Moon Photo: Liron Moldovan
On September 7, a full lunar eclipse occurred. At the peak of the celestial event, at 8:30 p.m. Israel time, the moon passed through Earth’s shadow for about 65 minutes and took on the special red hue created when sunlight passed through Earth’s atmosphere, refracted and filtered the blue waves, leaving mainly red tones projected onto the moon.
To the Flag Photo: Yehonatan Shaul
On June 16, the building in the photo – a residential tower in Petah Tikva – suffered a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile, causing loss of life. The rehabilitation work, during which a huge Israeli flag was unfurled on the building, nevertheless sparked a glimmer of hope.
Mother’s Voice Photo: Efrat Eshel
Sigal and Itai Yitzhaki, mother and Nahal Brigade fighter who was wounded in Gaza just before his 20th birthday, June 2025. My photo of the year is not a victory photo, it’s one moment from millions of moments that make up the new lives of wounded soldiers with head injuries and their families. I photographed it on the third day of the war against Iran, within an impossible reality of sirens, destruction, and anxieties. The head injury rehabilitation department at Sheba was moved to parking level minus 7, to keep them protected without the ability to quickly reach a protected space. Through hard work by Sheba staff, a department was built within the parking area, and the improvised rooms were surrounded by curtains instead of walls. Even there, in the place furthest from home, Itai’s family members insisted on preserving memories from his previous life and the memory of his friends who will never return. In my photo of the year there is no victory, only great love, patience, endless devotion and hope in a new world made of millions of small moments.
Victory Basket Photo: Alan Shiber
An unforgettable moment with Israel’s team at the European Basketball Championship on Polish soil, in the arena in Katowice. Against piercing boos, “Hatikva” was played, and the national team players stood tall and proud, and I with them, sharing in the pride and the heart that beats strong.
Help is on the Way Photo: Yossi Zeliger
During the war, I witnessed several scenes of children and babies being rescued by volunteers. In this case in Petah Tikva, it happened at the impact site of an Iranian missile that hit a residential tower. MDA personnel, like volunteers in all arenas, rescued a baby and demonstrated dedication and courage.
Water Without Joy Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon
As part of activities for the return of the hostages, a demonstration was held last winter on Gaza Street in Jerusalem, right opposite the Prime Minister’s residence. To disperse the protesters, police used a water cannon, and the water jet hit some of the demonstration participants with force.
Iron Warriors Photo: Arik Sultan
On the Egyptian border, in the middle of nowhere, female snipers from the Bardelas Battalion guard the State of Israel.
His Last Journey Photo: Eyal Margolin/JINI
At the cemetery in Nahalal, Captain Reei Biran was buried in July, Golani reconnaissance team commander, who was killed in the Gaza Strip. Soldiers from Reei’s team, who left the battles in the Strip to attend their commander’s funeral, leaned over the coffin and left no eye dry, including the photographer’s.
New Era Photo: Naama Stern
With the news of Edan Alexander‘s imminent return from captivity in Gaza, I rushed from Jerusalem to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. The excitement was enormous – families, friends and masses of citizens gathered full of hope and faith. A spark of joy flickered on people’s faces, wrapped in a sense of unity, embrace and hope. Edan recently announced he would return to serve in the IDF – an example of the endless strength of the people’s spirit. I wish that the coming year will bring the release of all hostages, healing for the wounded, protection for soldiers’ lives, and days of goodness and unity for the people of Israel.