Social media sites are now flooded with posts with the hashtag- "All Eyes on Rafah", where personalities across the genre are driving the steering against Israel's latest attack on the Rafah border. The attack on the Rafah crossing, which was earlier marked as the "safe region" for the Palestinians who were chasing the time to hide themselves from Israeli bombs, were killed in the raid. According to Gaza health authorities, at least 45 including women and children were killed in the attack. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that the attack on Rafah was a "mistake" while assuring a probe into the matter, the loss of innocent human lives gathered global denunciation.
In fact, Israel's main ally in the war, the United States also decried the action on Rafah. Earlier on Tuesday, the US Vice-President said that "the word tragic doesn't even begin to describe" an Israeli airstrike that triggered a fire in a tent camp in the Gazan city of Rafah, killing 45 Palestinians. Harris, speaking outside an event in Washington, was responding to a reporter's question about the weekend airstrike. Harris, speaking at a ceremonial event in Washington, did not respond to a follow-up question about whether attacks in Rafah crossed a "red line."
Why "All Eyes on Rafah" is trending?
The devastating visuals of charred bodies and the atrocities narrated by the Palestinians drew widespread condemnation. Since then, social media influencers, and other eminent personalities started posting gruesome pictures of Rafah with the hashtag "All Eyes on Rafah".
The campaign has been a great hit on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
What does it mean?
It's a heartfelt plea for global attention, urging individuals not to avert their gaze from the unfolding conflict in Rafah. This phrase symbolises solidarity with the Palestinians enduring the consequences of the attacks and has become a global trend on social media.
Numerous Indian celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Alia Bhatt, Richa Chadha, Kareena Kapoor, and Varun Dhawan, among others, have lent their voices in support by sharing the viral phrase on their respective Instagram stories.
As of now, up to 108k posts with #alleyesonrafah have been circulated on Instagram.
Who used the term "All Eyes on Rafah" for the first time?
According to media reports, the slogan "All Eyes on Rafah" was first used by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organisation's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. His critical remarks came in February this year when Netanyahu directed an evacuation plan for Rafah in anticipation of attacks on what he claimed were the last strongholds of Hamas.
What is the current situation in Rafah?
Israeli tanks mounted raids across Rafah in defiance of the World Court for a second day on Wednesday, after Washington said the assault did not amount to a major ground operation in the southern Gazan city that US officials have warned Israel to avoid.
Israel sent its tanks into the heart of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, despite an order from the International Court of Justice to end its attacks on the city, where many Palestinians had taken refuge from widespread bombardment.
The United States, Israel's closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a major Israeli ground offensive in Rafah but said on Tuesday it did not believe such an operation was under way.
Rafah residents said on Wednesday that Israeli tanks had pushed into Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah and Yibna and near Shaboura in the centre before retreating towards a buffer zone on the border with Egypt, in contrast with offensives elsewhere.
(With inputs from agency)
Also Read: Kamala Harris decries Israel's attack on Rafah, says word 'tragic' not enough to describe killings
