Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza's Rafah have killed at least 45 Palestinians, many of whom were children, in tents housing displaced people. This incident, which took place in the Tal as-Sultan area—a designated "safe zone" in northwest Rafah—has drawn widespread condemnation from several countries and human rights organizations. Eyewitnesses reported that at least eight Israeli missiles struck the area, according to Al Jazeera.
Rafah, home to hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians from across Gaza, was targeted by Israeli ground and air offensives on Sunday. This attack occurred despite international concerns over civilian casualties. The strikes also ignited several tents, causing fires that led to further deaths. NBC reported that a fuel tank explosion, triggered by an Israeli airstrike, was the cause of the fire.
"All Eyes on Rafah" Campaign
Visuals of the aftermath, showing charred bodies and severely injured individuals, have surfaced on social media. An image with the text "All Eyes on Rafah" has gained traction, highlighting the plight of those in Rafah's cramped refugee camps, which lack humanitarian aid. The image, depicting tents arranged to spell out the slogan, aims to raise awareness about the conditions in Rafah, where around 1.5 million people have taken refuge from Israeli bombings.
Authenticity of the Image
The authenticity of the "All Eyes on Rafah" image is under scrutiny. Marc Owen Jones, an expert on misinformation, suggests that the image appears to be AI-generated, citing its unrealistic shadows and unnaturally symmetrical tent arrangement, as reported by NBC.
Origin of the Slogan
The phrase "All Eyes on Rafah" is believed to have originated from a statement by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He made this comment in February after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an evacuation plan for Rafah, targeting what he claimed were the last strongholds of Hamas.
Spread of the Campaign
The campaign has been embraced by various support groups, including Save the Children, Oxfam, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. On social media, the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has been used in over 195,000 posts, accumulating millions of views. The image has been shared more than 29 million times on Instagram within 24 hours.
Support has also come from celebrities worldwide. Indian stars like Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit, Aly Goni, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Tripti Dimri, as well as international figures such as Australian cricketer Travis Head, British singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, model Bella Hadid, and actresses Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Susan Sarandon, have shown solidarity by sharing the image.
Ongoing Developments
As global attention remains focused on Gaza, the "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign continues to amplify calls for peace and justice for Palestinians.
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