'All Eyes on Rafah': What It Means & Why Is Everyone Posting About It?

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has once again thrust the region into the global spotlight. Amid escalating tensions and a ground offensive by Israeli troops in the heavily populated city of Rafah, a grassroots campaign with the slogan "All Eyes on Rafah" has gained significant traction worldwide. This call to action, amplified by activists, humanitarian groups, and even celebrities, seeks to draw attention to the unfolding crisis and its devastating impact on the civilian population.

What Does “All Eyes On Rafah” Mean?

The campaign's origins can be traced back to a statement by Dr Rick Peeperkorn, the director of the World Health Organization's Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who said in February, "All eyes are on Rafah." This was days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an evacuation plan for the city, ahead of planned attacks to eliminate what he claimed were the last remaining strongholds of the militant group Hamas.

As per the Guardian, the phrase "All Eyes on Rafah" is intended as a plea to the international community not to turn a blind eye to the situation in Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million people have taken shelter after fleeing violent clashes elsewhere in Gaza.

World Leaders Condemn Israel

Leaders worldwide, including President Joe Biden, have criticised Israel for its attacks on Rafah. clarified that while the US would provide defensive arms to Israel, it would not supply weapons used in attacks on Rafah. The International Criminal Court has announced it seeks arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes. However, the court lacks the means to enforce these warrants once issued.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron posted on X, "Deeply distressing scenes following the airstrikes in Rafah this weekend...We urgently need a deal to get hostages out & aid in, with a pause in fighting to allow work towards a long-term sustainable ceasefire."

Deeply distressing scenes following the airstrikes in Rafah this weekend.

The IDF’s investigation must be swift, comprehensive & transparent.

We urgently need a deal to get hostages out & aid in, with a pause in fighting to allow work towards a long-term sustainable…

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 28, 2024

Egypt condemned the “targeting of defenceless civilians", calling it part of “a systematic policy aimed at widening the scope of death and destruction in the Gaza Strip to make it uninhabitable".

Jordan accused Israel of “ongoing war crimes", Saudi Arabia condemned “the continued massacres", and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed “to hold these barbarians and murderers accountable".

Qatar condemned a “dangerous violation of international law" and voiced “concern that the bombing will complicate ongoing mediation efforts" towards a truce.

Around one million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since early May, the UNRWA reported on Tuesday. Many Palestinians, however, complained they are vulnerable to Israeli attacks wherever they go and have been moving up and down the Gaza Strip for the past few months.

The UNRWA said the flight from Rafah “happened with nowhere safe to go and amidst bombardments, lack of food and water, piles of waste and unsuitable living conditions."

#Rafah latest:

🛑 1 million people forced to flee in search of safety, only in the past 3 weeks.
🛑 Heavy bombardment continued overnight in the area including in Tal Al Sultan where the UN main offices in Gaza are.
🛑Most of our staff could not make it to work. They are… pic.twitter.com/4mkmORe5aZ

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 28, 2024

Meanwhile, Israel's military had said that the Sunday attack in the southern Rafah area had targeted and killed two senior Hamas operatives – but it also sparked a fire that Palestinians and many Arab countries condemned as a “massacre". Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called the country's strike a “tragic mistake."

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Why Everyone Is Posting About “All Eyes On Rafah”?

The "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign has gained significant traction and visibility across various platforms, with people from different walks of life lending their voices to the cause.

In a post on X, the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government shared a picture with caption "Where were your eyes on October 7". The image shows a Hamas terrorist standing in front of a baby.

We will NEVER stop talking about October 7th.

We will NEVER stop fighting for the hostages. pic.twitter.com/XoFqAf1IjM

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) May 29, 2024

Celebrities across the globe have also lent their voices to the campaign. In India, actors such as Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, shared identical "All Eyes on Rafah" graphics on their Instagram stories.

Alia took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday and re-shared a post by @themotherhoodhome which read, “All children deserve love. All children deserve safety. All children deserve peace. All children deserve life. And all mothers deserve to be able to give their children those things (red heart doodle).” Alia wrote in the caption, “#AllEyesOnRafah.”

Kareena Kapoor khan also took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to re-share a post by the official Instagram handle of UNICEF, which Executive Director Catherine Russell condemning the killing of children and families in Rafah, calling the act “unconscionable.” Actor Varun Dhawan also took to his Instagram stories to share the “All Eyes on Rafah” image doing the rounds on social media in protest of Israel's latest attack.

Other actors who joined them in solidarity included Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Samantha Prabhu, Dia Mirza, and Swara Bhasker.

Israel-Hamas War

The war started after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,170 people, mostly civilians. As per media reports, militants also took 252 hostages, with 121 still in Gaza, including 37 reported dead by the army.

Israel's response has led to approximately 36,050 deaths and 81,136 injuries in Gaza, primarily civilians, according to the territory's health ministry.

This conflict reignited discussions about Palestinian statehood in global politics. Israel argues that Hamas's attack shows the security risks of an independent Palestinian state on its border. However, many nations believe a two-state solution is crucial for lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

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Image Courtesy: X