Istanbul event gives voice to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
A Gaza awareness exhibition is held at an event organized by the Deniz Feneri Association, Istanbul, Türkiye, Oct. 7, 2026. (AA Photo)


The Deniz Feneri Association has launched an awareness event in Istanbul highlighting the humanitarian situation in Gaza as the conflict enters its third year.

Held at Eyüpsultan Square under the slogan "We Are in the Squares for Gaza,” the event aims to draw attention to the suffering of Palestinians, keep the situation in the public spotlight and amplify the voices of people in Gaza.

The event, which runs through Oct. 11, features an exhibition of symbolic burial shrouds representing children killed during the conflict. The exhibition includes photographs and stories of children who lost their lives, as well as blood-stained symbolic baby shrouds and empty cooking pots intended to highlight the impact of the humanitarian crisis.

Visitors can also take part in live connections with Gaza and experience a 3D virtual reality presentation offering a different perspective on life in the enclave. Informational activities provide details about the humanitarian situation.

Kenan Yaşar, resource development director at the Deniz Feneri Association, said the event seeks to show visitors what Palestinians experience amid the ongoing conflict.

He said many visitors have been deeply moved by the exhibition, particularly mothers who visit with their children.

"Many visitors cry and experience emotional moments. Mothers who visit the awareness exhibition with their children feel those emotions even more deeply,” he said.

Yaşar added that visitors can write letters to people in Gaza in the event’s "Leave a Word” section.

The organizers are also maintaining live connections with Gaza throughout the event, which Yaşar said has attracted significant public interest.

"We aim to show people here what people in Gaza experience every day,” he said.

"We show these realities through this exhibition for four or five days, but the people there live with the fear that they could be bombed at any moment. Our aim is to help people here understand the feelings of those living there.”