From Gaza to Ukraine, from natural disasters to humanitarian crises: Al Jazeera presents 2025 top events in photos
From Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war to devastating global weather events – including floods, storms and earthquakes – this year was defined by turmoil and humanitarian crises, Al Jazeera writes.
Prolonged violence in Sudan, marked by attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), added to the mounting civilian toll and displacement across the country.
The year also saw heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a deadly blaze in Hong Kong, United States and Israeli attacks on Iran, revelations from the Epstein files, and waves of “Gen Z” protest movements across multiple regions.
Together, these developments dominated international headlines, reflecting deepening political instability, social unrest and growing humanitarian needs worldwide.
The media outlet presented a series of photographs documenting and summarizing the most important events that have occurred in the world over the past 12 months.
Palestinians displaced to southern Gaza journey homeward to northern Gaza through the central Gaza Strip on Jan. 27, 2025, during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Rescuers recover a victim’s body from beneath the rubble at an apartment building struck by a Russian missile in Poltava, Ukraine on Feb. 1, 2025.
A trailer bearing coffins of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his cousin and successor Hashem Safieddine moves through crowds during a funeral procession at Beirut’s Sports City Stadium, Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as US Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House in Washington, DC on Feb. 28, 2025.
People gather for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.
People gather for the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran on June 28, 2025.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sit in a vehicle during their visit to Beijing to attend China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on Sept. 3, 2025.
Israel launched missile strikes on Doha, Qatar’s capital, on Sept. 9, 2025, targeting what it identified as senior Hamas leaders. Among those targeted were Palestinian negotiators actively involved in Gaza ceasefire discussions.
Military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, as shown in this image released Oct. 11, 2025.
This undated image from Jeffrey Epstein’s personal collection, released by House Oversight Committee Democrats on Dec. 12, 2025, depicts US President Donald Trump (left) and Epstein (center) conversing with an unidentified woman.
Full photo series at the source․
