Mumbai, May 29: “All Eyes on Rafah” has stirred up social media this week following an Israel airstrike in the southern Gaza City that killed at least 45 civilians, including children and women, and provoked international outrage. Several celebrities and prominent personalities posted the "All Eyes on Rafah" slogan on their social media, mostly as Instagram stories.

For an extended period, the phrase has served as a reference point in the societal and cultural discussions surrounding Israel's conflict with Hamas. This phrase has intermittently gained popularity on social media platforms, especially in response to the intensification of Israeli military operations in a city situated in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, near the border with Egypt. Rafah News: Fresh Israeli Attacks Kill Dozens in Rafah, Say Palestinian Medics.

This Wednesday, the phrase gained renewed attention, seemingly due to an image created by artificial intelligence. The image depicts a collection of refugee tents arranged to form the words "All Eyes on Rafah." A rendition of this graphic has been circulated over 38 million times on Instagram. Israel-Palestine War: US Condemns IDF Strike in Rafah, Urges Israel to Prioritise Civilian Safety.

All Eyes on Rafah Quote Meaning

In the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, graphic images of burnt bodies and severe injuries have been widely shared on social media platforms. The phrase "All Eyes on Rafah" is believed to have been first used by Rick Peeperkorn, the director of the World Health Organisation's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The slogan has since been adopted by a global audience, amplifying the call for urgent attention and action towards the escalating crisis in Rafah.

Why All Eyes on Rafah Phrase With AI-Generated Image Trending?

The AI-generated image, which depicts refugee tents arranged to spell out the slogan, underscores the dire circumstances faced by individuals residing in overcrowded refugee camps lacking sufficient humanitarian assistance. A poignant image emblazoned with the words "All Eyes on Rafah" has emerged as a rallying point for activists and humanitarian organisations. The campaign calls for international focus on Rafah, a city where an estimated 1.5 million people have sought sanctuary from the relentless bombardment.

The recent attack has triggered a global outrage, with many condemning it and several demanding a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. After the incident, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) shared a post on X and wrote, “Gaza has become hell on earth. Families continue to seek refuge, trying to escape war, but there is no such thing as a safe place in the Gaza Strip. No one is safe: not civilians, not aid workers, no one has been spared. We need a #CeasefireNow”.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2024 07:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).