A haunting tribute to Gaza's fallen children has taken up residence in Brooklyn, New York. The Wall of Tears, a 50ft-long mural adorned with waterproof and UV-coated vinyl, pays homage to the staggering 18,457 children who have lost their lives in Gaza between October 7th, 2023, and July 19th, 2025.
Created by artist Phil Buehler, this massive art installation is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on innocent lives. The names of each child, listed in chronological order, stretch down the street like a chilling countdown to tragedy. Each name is accompanied by a photo and story, drawn from reports by reputable news organizations such as the Guardian and Washington Post.
As one approaches the mural from a distance, it appears almost abstract, drawing viewers in with an air of mystery. However, upon closer inspection, the true horror of the Wall of Tears becomes apparent – a sobering reminder that behind each name lies a life cut short by violence and despair.
Buehler's work on this project was collaborative with Radio Free Brooklyn, a non-profit organization. Despite being out of date before its unveiling, as it only records deaths up to July last year, hundreds more children have been killed since then, including the tragic Hind Rajab, five-year-old girl whose final hours were captured in an Oscar-nominated film.
Buehler's reflections on this project are poignant and personal. He notes that seeing the faces of the children, frozen in joy and hope, is what drives him – a stark contrast to the tragedy they faced. By bearing witness to these stories, he hopes viewers will empathize with the families of the victims and consider how they might contribute to change.
Buehler's experience working on this project has been emotionally charged, as he concedes that some people may struggle to confront the scale of the tragedy. "If you approach from a distance, it looks like almost an abstract painting," he says. "Then you'll see they're names of the children killed in Gaza... That's the part that gets me when I look at it."
The Wall of Tears serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities surrounding the conflict in Gaza. While some may fear that highlighting the human cost of war could be perceived as anti-Semitic, Buehler rejects this notion, arguing that conflating opposition to the war with antisemitism makes open dialogue impossible.
As one gazes upon the Wall of Tears, it is impossible not to think about the families affected by these senseless losses. In a world where tribal divisions often dominate conversation, this mural serves as a poignant reminder that opposing violence and advocating for peace does not equate to hate towards any particular group.
Created by artist Phil Buehler, this massive art installation is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on innocent lives. The names of each child, listed in chronological order, stretch down the street like a chilling countdown to tragedy. Each name is accompanied by a photo and story, drawn from reports by reputable news organizations such as the Guardian and Washington Post.
As one approaches the mural from a distance, it appears almost abstract, drawing viewers in with an air of mystery. However, upon closer inspection, the true horror of the Wall of Tears becomes apparent – a sobering reminder that behind each name lies a life cut short by violence and despair.
Buehler's work on this project was collaborative with Radio Free Brooklyn, a non-profit organization. Despite being out of date before its unveiling, as it only records deaths up to July last year, hundreds more children have been killed since then, including the tragic Hind Rajab, five-year-old girl whose final hours were captured in an Oscar-nominated film.
Buehler's reflections on this project are poignant and personal. He notes that seeing the faces of the children, frozen in joy and hope, is what drives him – a stark contrast to the tragedy they faced. By bearing witness to these stories, he hopes viewers will empathize with the families of the victims and consider how they might contribute to change.
Buehler's experience working on this project has been emotionally charged, as he concedes that some people may struggle to confront the scale of the tragedy. "If you approach from a distance, it looks like almost an abstract painting," he says. "Then you'll see they're names of the children killed in Gaza... That's the part that gets me when I look at it."
The Wall of Tears serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities surrounding the conflict in Gaza. While some may fear that highlighting the human cost of war could be perceived as anti-Semitic, Buehler rejects this notion, arguing that conflating opposition to the war with antisemitism makes open dialogue impossible.
As one gazes upon the Wall of Tears, it is impossible not to think about the families affected by these senseless losses. In a world where tribal divisions often dominate conversation, this mural serves as a poignant reminder that opposing violence and advocating for peace does not equate to hate towards any particular group.
you know what's crazy? I was just at a coffee shop in Williamsburg the other day and they had these adorable little succulents on the counter, right? And it got me thinking, have you ever noticed how some plants can thrive in these crazy busy environments, like city streets? It's like they're so resilient or something! 
anyway, back to this Gaza thing... I don't know if anyone else has been following it, but what really gets me is the whole idea of these 18k+ kids losing their lives... 
it's just, like, a number, you know? But it's not just a number, it's a name, a face, a life that was cut short. And the art installation here is just so hauntingly beautiful... I mean, have you seen the pictures of Phil Buehler's work? 
I'm literally sitting next to it now and you can just feel the weight of those 18,457 lives lost. Phil Buehler did an incredible job with this tribute – it's heartbreaking to see the names, photos, and stories of these innocent kids on display like that. what really gets me is how he's trying to break down the stigma around opposing the war in gaza without being misconstrued as anti-semitic. we need more art installations like this that spark conversation and empathy 
i thought israel was like super powerful but apparently its not 
. It's like Phil Buehler is trying to humanize the statistics and put a face to the numbers. And honestly, it works 
.
. But by sharing these stories, we can start to build bridges and imagine a different way forward 
.
.
This wall of tears is literally bringing me to tears every time I look at it 
The photos of the children, their names, and stories... it's just so personal and powerful 
. We can't just sit back and watch as innocent lives are lost, it's up to us to make a change. Every life lost is a tragedy, every tear shed by the families of the victims is a testament to the devastating impact of conflict. Let's learn from Phil Buehler's work on The Wall of Tears, let's keep looking at the human side of this complex issue and not just focus on tribal divisions.
️ it's like nothing I've ever seen before. 50ft-long mural is so powerful, and the fact that each child's name is listed in chronological order is just heartbreaking 
. I wish Phil Buehler made more murals like this to spread awareness about Gaza and its struggle 
Radio Free Brooklyn should be commended for their non-profit work too 
opposing war doesn't mean hating a certain group. This mural is an amazing tribute to the victims, and I think we can all learn from Phil Buehler's message of empathy 
The scale of the tragedy is mind-blowing, 18k+ kids lost their lives in 2 yrs, it's like a never-ending nightmare 
. I think Phil Buehler did an amazing job creating this mural, it's so thought-provoking and emotional. The way he weaves together names, photos, and stories is just heartbreaking 
.
. Let's keep having these conversations and supporting each other... 
... I mean, how can we even process such numbers of innocent lives lost in a conflict that just seems to never end? 
Let's make sure to prioritize our mental health and support each other during these tough times 
. We need more art like this to spark meaningful discussions and inspire change 
I'm just worried that ppl won't really get it - all this art & stuff is gonna be lost on most of us. It's like, we're just scrollin' past it on Instagram, forgettin' the names & faces behind 'em. 
its just art, right? but honestly, how can u even look at that and not feel somethin? it's a wall of tears, fam 
. Now it's out of date with hundreds more kids killed since then... I mean, what can we really do? The names and stories are so powerful tho 
. Buehler did a great job capturing that emotional weight. It's not easy seeing those faces, even if they're frozen in joy 
. Maybe this is a call to action for us all, but it's scary how tribal divisions can get in the way of that conversation 
The Wall of Tears in Brooklyn is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the 18,457 children who've lost their lives in Gaza 
The thing is, some people might try to downplay the impact or even shift the blame... but I think Buehler's got a point - we gotta be willing to confront the truth and face our own biases. 
. But anyway, back to Gaza... 18k kids lost their lives in 2 years is just insane 