New Delhi: Over 44 million Instagram users have rallied around a powerful AI-generated image, captioned “All eyes on Rafah,” to protest the ongoing military operation in Rafah, an area situated in the southern Gaza Strip. This digital movement sheds light on the humanitarian crisis faced by internally-displaced Palestinians fleeing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The AI-Generated Image
The image depicts a vast desert landscape dotted with rows of tents, evoking the plight of refugees. These tents symbolize the makeshift shelters in the southern Gaza Strip, near the Egyptian border, where civilians seek safety amidst the ongoing conflict. The area of Rafah, previously considered a humanitarian zone, has recently become a target of Israeli bombings, resulting in the tragic loss of lives, including women and children.
Celebrities Amplify the Message
The slogan “All eyes on Rafah” has resonated across social media platforms, particularly on X, where the hashtag #alleyesonrafah has garnered nearly one million hits. Notably, Indian celebrities such as Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Atlee, Vir Das, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Rakul Preet Singh, Triptii Dimri, and Shilpa Rao have shared the image on their social media profiles. Additionally, Chilean-US actor Pedro Pascal, top models Bella and Gigi Hadid (who have Palestinian heritage), and French football star Ousmane Dembele have joined this digital movement.
The Origin of the Trend
According to a report by Time magazine, the slogan “All eyes on Rafah” likely originated from Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for Gaza. Peeperkorn emphasized that global attention must focus on the unfolding situation in Rafah. The slogan has appeared not only on social media but also on placards carried by students during protests at universities in the US and Europe. These demonstrations call for a ceasefire and divestment from Israel in response to the war in Gaza.
The Grim Reality of the Gaza War
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacted a heavy toll. In an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, Hamas caused the deaths of 1,189 people, primarily civilians. Militants also took 252 hostages, with 121 remaining in Gaza, including 37 whom the Israeli army considers deceased. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 36,171 people in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
