“All Eyes on Rafah” has become a trending phrase on social media as global support for Palestinians in the southern Gaza city intensifies amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive.
Over the weekend, Israeli shelling and airstrikes in Rafah killed at least 45 people, most of whom were sheltering in tents. The attack, which also left hundreds of civilians with shrapnel and burn wounds, was launched late Sunday and has drawn condemnation from world leaders.
Despite a recent order from the top UN court to halt operations in the area, Israeli forces have continued their assault on the border town. Israel has labeled the loss of life a “tragic accident” and claimed its munitions alone could not have caused the deadly blaze. The Israeli army stated that the strike targeted and killed two senior Hamas militants.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘All Eyes on Rafah’?
The attack has triggered global outrage, with many taking to social media to decry the deadly assault. “All Eyes on Rafah” is being used to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are seeking shelter after fleeing violence elsewhere in Gaza.
The slogan reportedly originated from a comment by Rick Peeperkorn, director of the WHO’s Office of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who said in February, “All eyes are on Rafah,” following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s evacuation plan for the city ahead of planned attacks on what he claimed were the last Hamas strongholds.
Influencers and celebrities have shared “All Eyes on Rafah” graphics on their Instagram stories. The hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has amassed over 195,000 posts and millions of views on TikTok, and it was trending on Instagram on Tuesday with nearly 100,000 posts.