LIVE:
What Is the 'All Eyes On Rafah' Viral Image and Why Are Indian Celebrities Sharing It?
The phrase "All Eyes On Rafah" has gone viral on social media after Israeli air strikes killed 40 Palestinians and injured many others in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. This incident has drawn significant attention and sparked a global conversation.
Several Indian celebrities, including Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sonakshi Sinha, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Triptii Dimri, Dia Mirza, and Richa Chadha, have shown their support for Palestinians. They shared the phrase "All Eyes On Rafah" on their Instagram stories, helping to raise awareness about the situation.
The image that is spreading widely shows tents arranged in a camp spelling out "All Eyes on Rafah." This is a reference to the refugee camps in southern Gaza, where local authorities reported that at least 45 civilians were killed by an Israeli airstrike.
! #RafahOnFıre pic.twitter.com/r6icgQf2ZR
— cem adrian 💎 (@cemadrian) May 27, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the casualties as a "tragic mishap" in his address to the Parliament. His office later clarified this statement in English, calling it a "tragic incident."
The phrase "All Eyes On Rafah" is a call to action. It urges people worldwide to pay attention to the critical situation in Rafah. Israeli forces are targeting Hamas battalions, but civilians are getting caught in the crossfire. The campaign is spreading on social media to highlight the plight of the 1.4 million displaced Gazans who have taken refuge in Rafah. There are over 195,000 posts with the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah on TikTok, and it was trending on Instagram with nearly 100,000 posts as of Tuesday.
The trend traces back to a comment made by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In February, Peeperkorn said, "All eyes are on Rafah," after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an evacuation plan for the city, claiming it was a Hamas stronghold.
The "All Eyes On Rafah" campaign has successfully raised global awareness about the situation in Rafah, with significant support from celebrities and widespread social media attention. The phrase serves as a reminder of the human impact of the conflict and the importance of global attention to these critical issues.
- PTC PUNJABI
