An image with the slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” went crazy viral on social media on Tuesday following a renewed social media push by supporters of Palestinians following a deadly air strike in the Southern Gaza City, where Israel is conducting a massive operation. The attack has triggered global outrage. Several people from across the world have come out in support of Palestinians, with the image drawing more than 37 million shares on Instagram in less than 24 hours.
The image, widely believed to be AI-generated, depicts tents in a camp arranged to spell out “All Eyes on Rafah”. It is a plea to people to not ignore what’s happening in the city of Rafah – where 1.4 million people have taken refuge after escaping from violent fighting elsewhere in Gaza – as Israel continues with its offensive.
Over the weekend, at least 45 people have been killed in Rafah by Israeli airstrikes and shelling. Most of them had been sheltering in tents in the city. According to Gaza medics, the strike – launched late on Sunday – left hundreds of civilians injured with shrapnel and burn wounds and drew condemnation from leaders across the world.
‘All Eyes on Rafah’ Explained
The image is from an area in South Gaza crowded with refugee tent camps. The slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” is believed to have originated from a comment by the director of WHO’s office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories Rick Peeperkorn, who had said way back in February this year, “All eyes are on Rafah” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed an evacuation plan for the city planning ahead of attacks on what he claims are the last strongholds of the Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
Bollywood Celebs Come out in Support
Several actors and influencers in India, including Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Dia Mirza, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Richa Chadha, and Ali Goni posted the image to their Instagram stories but were brutally trolled for their show of solidarity with the Palestinians.
What is Israel Saying?
Israeli forces continued their offensive on the border town despite directions by a top UN court to put a stop to its operation there. Israel, meanwhile, called the loss of civilian lives a “tragic accident”, adding that it had killed two senior Hamas militants in the strike. An Israeli representative also said that the civilian deaths were not due to Israeli airstrikes alone but because of secondary explosions possibly conducted by Palestinian militants.
The strike on Rafah has only increased international criticism against Israel over its war with Hamas, with even the country’s closest allies condemning the civilian loss of lives. Israel insists it complies with international law even as it faces scrutiny in the top courts of the world.
Conflict shows no Signs of Dying
The almost 8-month-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza refuses to die – brutalities are increasing as both parties fail to agree on a truce. More than 35,000 people, primarily women and children, have been killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza, which commenced after October 7. Both sides don’t look in the mood for peace despite multiple attempts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to negotiate a truce. The conflict is unlikely to die out soon.
