The four children had survived horrors in Gaza.
But on Sunday morning, they reached the end of an arduous journey out of the conflict zone and into American hospitals to receive urgent medical care.
They flew from Cairo to Kennedy Airport, where they were greeted with much fanfare by a crowd of about 50 people carrying plush toys, flowers and bobbing balloons.
Among the children was Fadi Alzant, 6, a gaunt boy with pale skin and strawberry blond hair who appeared dazed as the crowd rushed around his wheelchair.
An airport employee grew agitated and shouted at people to disperse and to put away their cameras.
Persons:
Fadi Alzant, gaunt
Organizations:
Kennedy Airport, Palestine Children’s Relief, World Health Organization
Locations:
Gaza, Cairo