100-Meter Gaza Children's Memorial Unveiled in New York Ahead of UN Assembly

A 100-meter (328-foot) memorial shroud, bearing the names of over 20,000 Arab children allegedly killed during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, was unveiled in New York. Titled "The Shroud of Gaza's Children" and operating under the slogan "Not a number, but a name," the installation was presented at the UN Church Center, near the UN headquarters, just before the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The project was organized by groups including Doctors Against Genocide, Priests Against Genocide USA, and Justice for All, alongside other pro-Palestinian organizations. In addition to the shroud, photographs of children and items of clothing were displayed. Organizers also titled the exhibition "Where is Justice?!"

The creators claim all children named on the shroud died as a result of IDF actions, though the source of the 20,000 names was not specified. The article notes that the registry from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza does not distinguish between civilians and combatants among the deceased. The organizers presented the shroud as a memorial to innocent children and a call for an end to the war. The ceremony included Quranic readings and a joint religious service with leaders from various faiths, including rabbis. Some Jewish attendees reportedly wore Arab kuffiyehs as prayer shawls.

The event was described as an expression of human solidarity demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The exhibition's appearance in New York coincides with the arrival of international delegations for the UN General Assembly. Organizers stated they are working with the Palestinian mission to move the memorial into the main UN building for permanent display. Following New York, the installation is planned to travel to Washington and other cities over the next year. The UN General Assembly is scheduled from September 18 to 28, with its agenda reportedly including calls for legal and international measures against Israel. The 100-meter shroud is intended as part of an international anti-Israel campaign to prompt world leaders into action. However, the article questions the data presented, stating that the Hamas-published registry does not allow for independent verification of how many combatants, civilians, or children are among the dead, or how many died with weapons in hand.