The "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign shines a spotlight on the turmoil in Gaza's Rafah, where Israeli troops are conducting a ground offensive. This grassroots effort urges global attention to the crisis, with support from activists, humanitarian groups, and celebrities, emphasizing the plight of millions of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Where does the phrase come from?
The origins of the slogan can be traced back to a remark attributed to Rick Peeperkorn, who serves as the director of the World Health Organization's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
It is said that he made this statement in February, following an order from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evacuate Rafah in anticipation of attacks targeting what he described as the last remaining strongholds of Hamas, the militant group.
Peeperkorn's remark, "All eyes are on Rafah," appears to have captured the attention and concern surrounding the situation in Rafah at that time, highlighting the intensity and significance of the events unfolding in the region.
What Does “All Eyes On Rafah” Mean?
The phrase serves as a plea for observers not to turn away from the events unfolding in Rafah. The city has become a refuge for up to 1.4 million individuals fleeing violence elsewhere in Gaza. Despite the significant civilian presence, Israel persists in its offensive actions, prompting concerns about the safety and well-being of those seeking shelter.
"All Eyes On Rafah": What the image depicts?
Amidst harrowing images of charred bodies and severe injuries flooding social media, a powerful message began to trend: "All Eyes on Rafah." This grassroots campaign, led by activists and humanitarian organizations, seeks to spotlight the plight of the southern Gaza Strip. In this region, cramped refugee camps teem with people, devoid of essential aid.
A striking image accompanies the campaign—a formation of tents at a camp spelling out the urgent call to action, "All Eyes on Rafah." It serves as a poignant reminder not to ignore the dire circumstances facing the approximately 1.5 million inhabitants who sought refuge in this city, fleeing the devastating impact of Israeli bombings.
Is the image real?
This image could mark the inception of a new wave of viral activism generated by artificial intelligence. Researcher Marc Owen Jones, specializing in misinformation, suggests that the image bears the hallmarks of AI creation. Its somewhat surreal appearance, characterized by peculiar shadows and an unnaturally symmetrical tent camp, hints at its AI origins, as noted by NBC.
How the image spread?
Various support groups such as Save the Children, Oxfam, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have embraced the slogan. On social platforms, #AllEyesOnRafah has sparked over 195,000 posts, reaching millions.
Trending on Instagram, the hashtag has garnered nearly 100,000 additional posts. Within a day, the image circulated over 29 million times on Instagram alone.
On TikTok, the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has generated over 195,000 posts with millions of views.
Notably, Palestinian American pop singer Zach Matari's videos featuring the slogan have gained millions of views, alongside contributions from other pro-Palestinian creators like Lubna Alhilo, Liz Kuhn, and Reema Bassoumi.
World Leaders Condemn Israel
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Global Criticism of Israel's Actions in Rafah:
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Leaders worldwide, including President Joe Biden, have condemned Israel for its recent attacks on Rafah.
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President Biden clarified that while the US would continue providing defensive arms to Israel, it would refrain from supplying weapons used specifically in the attacks on Rafah.
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International Criminal Court's Response:
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced its intention to issue arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, on charges of alleged war crimes.
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However, it is noted that the ICC lacks the necessary enforcement mechanisms to execute these warrants once they are issued.
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Global Advocacy and Protests:
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Various organizations and lobbying groups such as Save the Children, Oxfam, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have echoed criticisms of Israel's actions in Rafah.
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The slogan denouncing the attacks has become a rallying cry at protests held in cities like Paris, London, the Netherlands, New York City, and Los Angeles.
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Statements by World Leaders:
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Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid and hostage release efforts.
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Egypt condemned the targeting of civilians in Rafah, describing it as part of a broader pattern of destructive policies in Gaza.
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Jordan accused Israel of ongoing war crimes, while Saudi Arabia and Turkey strongly condemned the continued violence and vowed to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
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Qatar denounced the attacks as a dangerous violation of international law and expressed concerns about their impact on ongoing mediation efforts towards a truce.
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Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement:
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The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that approximately one million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since early May.
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Many Palestinians feel vulnerable to attacks regardless of their location within Gaza and have been forced to relocate multiple times within the territory.
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Israeli Perspective and Reactions:
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Israel's military claimed that its actions in Rafah were targeting senior Hamas operatives but unintentionally resulted in civilian casualties and damage.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the incident as a "tragic mistake," acknowledging civilian deaths, while denying involvement in subsequent reported airstrikes.
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Celebrities Posting About “All Eyes On Rafah”
The "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign has garnered widespread attention and support across various platforms, drawing voices from diverse backgrounds and spheres of life.
Notably, numerous celebrities from around the world have joined the campaign, adding their voices to the cause.
Indian celebrities, such as Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit, Aly Goni, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Triptii Dimri, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Dia Mirza, and Swara Bhasker, among others, demonstrated solidarity by sharing the "All Eyes on Rafah" image on their Instagram stories.
Beyond India, international figures like Australian cricketer Travis Head, British singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, model Bella Hadid, and actresses Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Susan Sarandon have also expressed support for Rafah.
Alia Bhatt, for instance, reposted a message from @themotherhoodhome on her Instagram Stories advocating for the rights of children and mothers in Rafah, emphasizing the need for love, safety, peace, and life for all children.
Similarly, Kareena Kapoor Khan utilized her Instagram Stories to share a statement from UNICEF's official account, where Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned the tragic loss of lives in Rafah, denouncing such acts as unconscionable.
Actor Varun Dhawan also used his Instagram stories to amplify the "All Eyes on Rafah" image circulating on social media, highlighting his stance against Israel's recent attacks.
Israel-Hamas War
For months, the specter of large-scale casualties loomed over Rafah as Israel aimed to dismantle remaining Hamas strongholds. Stemming from an attack last October, which ignited a devastating conflict in the Middle East, Israel targeted Rafah, citing it as the final bastion of Hamas influence in Gaza.
Despite intermittent negotiations, talks faltered, leading to an attack on Rafah. In response, Hamas withdrew from further ceasefire discussions. Israeli military evacuation orders preceded the offensive, aiming to protect civilians. However, the bombing of the Tal al Sultan neighborhood, believed to be safe, raised concerns.
The conflict, triggered by a Hamas assault in southern Israel, claimed over 1,170 lives, mostly civilians. Reports indicate 252 hostages, with 121 still held in Gaza, including casualties. Israeli retaliation resulted in approximately 36,050 deaths and 81,136 injuries, predominantly civilian, according to Gaza's health ministry.
This strife reignited debates about Palestinian statehood. Israel asserts that Hamas's aggression highlights the security risks of an independent Palestine neighboring it. Conversely, many nations advocate for a two-state solution as vital for enduring Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Israel denies strike on camp near Rafah, killing 37
The Israeli military refuted claims of attacking a tent camp west of Rafah on Tuesday, contradicting reports from Gaza health authorities stating that tank shelling from Israel had resulted in the deaths of at least 37 individuals in the area. This region, designated by Israel as a civilian evacuation zone, was targeted despite its status.
According to Gaza emergency services, four tank shells hit a group of tents in Al-Mawasi on Tuesday. Al-Mawasi is situated along the coast and has been designated by Israel as an expanded humanitarian zone, recommended as a safe haven for civilians from Rafah.
While the US reiterated its opposition to a significant Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, it clarified that it did not believe such an operation was currently underway.
US’ response on Rafah killings
The United States announced on Tuesday its close monitoring of the investigation into the tragic Israeli airstrike in Rafah. However, it clarified that the incident, while regrettable, did not signify a significant ground operation that would breach any red lines set by the US.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, conveyed to reporters, "The Israelis have acknowledged this as a tragic mistake." He further emphasized, "We've also made it clear that we do not support a substantial ground operation in Rafah. Such an action could complicate Israel's efforts to target Hamas while risking widespread damage and potential loss of life. Thus far, we have not observed any indication of such a development."
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, the urgency of the situation has never been clearer. The world is watching, and the pressure is mounting on governments and international bodies to take action and put an end to the bloodshed.
While the road to peace may seem long and fraught with obstacles, the solidarity and support shown through the "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign are a testament to the power of unity and collective action.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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