WASHINGTON 

Dozens of pairs of shoes were lined up in front of the White House on Monday by pro-Palestinian protesters to represent children killed during Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 last year.

"In honor of all the children murdered in Palestine," a sign said.

The demonstrators, who gathered at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., marked the first anniversary of Israel's war on the besieged enclave.

Carrying Palestinian flags, they also held signs saying: "Support Gazan Mothers and Children," "Stop Starving Children" and "Stop Arming Israel."

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 42,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 97,300 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

*Writing by Diyar Guldogan