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Wael Hamzeh
Beirut, Lebanon
Lebanese photographer Wael Hamzeh was born in 1972. In the 1990s, Wael gained journalistic experience at leading local newspapers and agencies. He worked as head of the photo department at a major daily newspaper before he joined epa in 2003. After working for four years as a stringer Wael became a staff photographer in 2007.
In his 25 years as photojournalist, Wael reported from twelve different countries, participated in several local and international exhibitions, and covered breaking news, the Francophone Games, the Arab Summit Conference, the Israeli-Lebanese War in 2006, and Lebanese festivals.

A picture taken with a drone shows an aerial view Lebanese protesters shout slogans and carry the national flags during a protest called The Peaceful Challenge, in Martyr Square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 17 November 2019. Protests continue in Lebanon since first erupted on 17 October, as protesters aim to apply pressure on the country's political leaders over what they view as a lack of progress following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on 29 October. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

An inscription reading in Arabic 'Revolution' is seen on a girl's hand during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 20 October 2019. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Lebanon for a fourth day of protests that sparked after proposed taxes with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. The government said the plan will not come into effect and Prime Minister Saad Hariri gave political parties 72 hours to agree on a solution to the country's crisis. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Protesters take a selfie by cell phone as they block the Dora highway by a fire of plastic barriers and trash during a protest in north of Beirut, Lebanon, 18 October 2019. Protesters, mainly civil activists, started to demonstrate in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A general view of the destroyed port a day after a massive explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, 05 August 2020. According to media reports, at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were injured after an explosion devastated the port area as well as other parts of the city on 04 August. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A Christian nun prays during the Maundy Thursday mass at Al Saydeh Church in Ashrafieh area, Beirut, Lebanon, 16 April 2020. Lebanon faces atypical Holy Week as churches are closed and religious processions were canceled amid the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic which causes the Covid-19 disease. Lebanese authorities announced on 26 March the curfew from 7:00 pm until 5:00 am local time in the country. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A protester is seen sleeping on the ground as other anti-government protesters blocked the road in Beirut, Lebanon, 23 October 2019. Protesters announced they will continue demonstrations and the closure of roads until the resignation of the government and parliament and until new parliamentary elections will be held, one day after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a series of economic measures adopted by the government and approved the 2020 budget without any new taxes. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Riot police drag anti-government protesters into the police barracks during a protest demanding the release of 59 of their comrades who were detained following overnight clashes near Lebanese Central Bank in Beirut, Lebanon, 15 January 2020. According to media reports, several protesters were injured and 59 protesters detained during the clash with riot police on 14 January, and more of the ATMs and windows of banks in Hamra Main Street were smashed. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Workers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a Covid19 precaution in the rooms of an isolation hotel for the Lebanese citizens who were repatriated from various countries abroad and will be housed as part of a repatriation plan in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 April 2020. Countries around the world are taking increased measures to stem the widespread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A picture taken with a drone shows an aerial view Lebanese protesters shout slogans and carry the national flags during a protest called The Peaceful Challenge, in Martyr Square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 17 November 2019. Protests continue in Lebanon since first erupted on 17 October, as protesters aim to apply pressure on the country's political leaders over what they view as a lack of progress following the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on 29 October. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A picture taken with a drone shows Lebanese women take advantage of good weather to sunbathe on the rooftop of their home in Mansourieh Village near Beirut, Lebanon, 12 May 2020. during a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Rooftops, usually a normal place for water tanks, satellites dishes and unwanted home accessories, has become a new place for people seeking social distance and isolation during the pandemic. According to the government’s decision, Lebanon will go under full shutdown for four days on 14 until 17 May 2020, as the country recorded a rise in coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A protester throws a tire on a fire to block a Metn highway during a protest in north of Beirut, Lebanon, 18 October 2019. Protesters, mainly civil activists, started to demonstrate in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A composite picture shows women wearing a variety of protective face masks amid concerns over the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease during a tour done by Hezbollah to show their preparation to fight the coronavirus in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, 31 March 2020. According to the Lebanese health ministry, there are 463 registered cases of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the country as of 31 March 2020; twelve patients died, while 37 recovered. The curfew from 7:00 pm until 5:00 am local time was announced by authorities on 26 March 2020. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

An anti-government protester uses a tennis racket to return a tear gas canister at riot policemen during a demonstration against the Lebanese government and worsening economic conditions in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 06 June 2020. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Fireworks illuminate the night sky during New Year's celebrations in Beirut, Lebanon, 01 January 2019. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A picture taken with a drone shows an aerial view a row of burnt-out cars at Al Damour area south Beirut, Lebanon, 15 October 2019. According to reports, 18 Lebanese people were admitted to hospitals for treatment following multiple wildfires that began early on 14 October in Mechref, Dibbiyeh and Al Damour areas at Chouf District in Mount Lebanon. Lebanese Army helicopters and planes provided by Cyprus were fighting the fires on 15 October morning as dozens of Civil Defense teams worked to extinguish blazes that entered residential areas. Five Civil Defense firefighters have sustained injuries during their duty. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese riot police fires rubber bullets at protesters during continuous anti-government protests outside of the Lebanese Parliament building in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 19 January 2020. Police used water cannons and fired tears gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators outside the Parliament building. Clashes with security forces erupted again after protests against the Lebanese caretaker government and the demonstrators' demands to form a legitimate government. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

A woman carries her child who is wearing a handband of the Lebanese flag during a protest in Jal El Dib area north of Beirut, Lebanon, 22 October 2019. Protesters announced they will continue demonstrations and the closure of roads until the resignation of the government and parliament and hold new parliamentary elections one day after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a series of economic measures adopted by the government and approved the 2020 budget without any new taxes. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

Muslim devotees observe social distancing while they offer Friday noon prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 May 2020. The Lebanese government extended until 24 May the state of general mobilization over the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the Covid-19 disease. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH