The father of Shani Louk, a German tattoo artist killed in a Hamas attack, has defended the award-winning image of her lifeless body. The Associated Press freelancer Ali Mahmud's photograph, which captured Louk's body in the back of a Hamas pickup truck, sparked controversy and backlash on social media.

Despite the criticism, Louk's father, Nissim Louk, expressed his support for the award. He believes the image is a powerful representation of the era and will serve as a historical record of the events. Louk stated that the photograph, along with another depicting Noa Argamani being taken hostage by Hamas, "symbolize this era."

The decision to award the prize to Mahmud's photo drew criticism from some Jewish commentators, who argued that it dehumanized Louk and retraumatized her family. However, Nissim Louk believes the image serves an important purpose in informing the future and preserving the memory of his daughter.